Keep records for 3 years from the date you filed your original return or 2 years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later, if you file a claim for credit or refund after you file your return. Keep records for 7 years if you file a claim for a loss from worthless securities or bad debt deduction.

How long should you keep your tax records in case of an audit?

The IRS recommends keeping returns and other tax documents for three years (or two years from when you paid the tax, whichever is later.) The IRS has a statute of limitations on conducting audits and it is limited to three years.

How many years of income tax records should I keep?

How long to keep your records. Generally, you must keep all required records and supporting documents for a period of six years from the end of the last tax year they relate to.

What papers should I keep and for how long?

To be on the safe side, McBride says to keep all tax records for at least seven years. Keep forever. Records such as birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, Social Security cards, and military discharge papers should be kept indefinitely.

What tax documents do I need to keep?

Three Years

• W-2 forms reporting income;
• 1099 forms showing income, capital gains, dividends and interest on investments;
• 1098 forms if you deducted mortgage interest;
• Canceled checks and receipts for charitable contributions;

What records need to be kept for 7 years?

Keep records for 7 years if you file a claim for a loss from worthless securities or bad debt deduction. Keep records for 6 years if you do not report income that you should report, and it is more than 25% of the gross income shown on your return. Keep records indefinitely if you do not file a return.

What papers to save and what to throw away?

What Documents Can I Throw Away—and When?

• Tax Returns. Old tax documents are probably the number one category of documents we’re asked about.
• Bank Statements.
• Explanation of Benefits (EOB) Forms.
• Medical Bills.
• Utility Bills.
• Paycheck Stubs.
• Credit Card Statements.
• Wills and Estate Planning Documents.

Should you shred old tax returns?

With that timeframe, California residents should keep their state tax records for at least four years. What Should I Do with My Old Tax Returns? Once you have scanned your tax documents, make sure to dispose of them in a secure manner. At the very least, shred them before throwing them in the trash.

Are taxes forgiven after 10 years?

Generally speaking, the Internal Revenue Service has a maximum of ten years to collect on unpaid taxes. After that time has expired, the obligation is entirely wiped clean and removed from a taxpayer’s account.

How long do you need to keep bank statements?

Most bank statements should be kept accessible in hard copy or electronic form for one year, after which they can be shredded. Anything tax-related such as proof of charitable donations should be kept for at least three years.

What important papers should I keep?

Important papers to save forever include:

• Birth certificates.
• Social Security cards.
• Marriage certificates.
• Adoption papers.
• Death certificates.
• Passports.
• Wills and living wills.
• Powers of attorney.

How long should you keep monthly statements and bills?

Hold the returns and supporting documents for at least seven years. The IRS can randomly audit you three years after you file — or six years afterward if it thinks you skipped out on reporting your income by at least 25%.

How long do you need to keep household bills?

Generally speaking, hang onto bills and bank statements for at least two years, and insurance documents as long as they are valid.

How do you keep your tax documents?

Use file folders or accordion folders to organize all those documents by year and sort them accordingly. Prepare for the upcoming 2014 tax season by creating additional folders to store medical bills, pay stubs, investments, donations, and any other taxable documentation that may be useful for next year.

How far back can IRS audit?

Generally, the IRS can include returns filed within the last three years in an audit. If we identify a substantial error, we may add additional years. We usually don’t go back more than the last six years. The IRS tries to audit tax returns as soon as possible after they are filed.

How long should you keep tax returns for a business?

Keep business income tax returns and supporting documents for at least seven years from the tax year of the return. The IRS can audit your return and you can amend your return to claim additional credits for a period that varies from three to seven years from the date you first filed.