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

three years
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.

What records need to be kept for 7 years?

KEEP 3 TO 7 YEARS

Knowing that, a good rule of thumb is to save any document that verifies information on your tax return—including Forms W-2 and 1099, bank and brokerage statements, tuition payments and charitable donation receipts—for three to seven years.

Can the IRS go back more than 10 years?

As a general rule, there is a ten year statute of limitations on IRS collections. This means that the IRS can attempt to collect your unpaid taxes for up to ten years from the date they were assessed. Subject to some important exceptions, once the ten years are up, the IRS has to stop its collection efforts.

How long should I keep tax records and bank statements?

You need to keep these documents for five years after you lodge your tax return in case you’re asked to substantiate your claims. And it’s a good idea to keep your Notice of Tax Assessments for five years as well.

Should I shred old tax returns?

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.

Should you keep tax returns forever?

According to the IRS, individual taxpayers should keep returns for three to six years. Non-filers and fraudsters should keep their records forever.

What personal records should be kept permanently?

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.

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%.

What should you not shred?

Expired credit and identification cards including driver’s licenses, college IDs, military IDs, employee badges, medical insurance cards, etc. (If your shredder can’t handle plastic, cut up cards with a scissors before discarding them.) Expired passports and visas.

Should I keep old home insurance policies?

Home, auto and umbrella policies – Keep until you get your new policy. For auto insurance, most states accept electronic versions of your insurance card, but it may also be smart to keep a printed version in your glove compartment.

How long should you keep household bills?

While household bills and bank statements should be kept for at least two years, and insurance documents as long as they are valid.

Should I shred utility bills?

Credit card statements and utility bills are documents that should be high on anyone’s list for shredding. Bills of that nature tend to have very sensitive information. So once payment is confirmed and you no longer need to reference that bill, make sure the document is destroyed.

Why is shredding not a good idea?

Paper shredders increase security risks. You shred your documents to prevent identity theft and maintain the confidentiality of your information. But your paper shredding machine doesn’t offer the most secure method for completely destroying confidential information. … Document destruction equipment and facilities.

Is it safe to throw away credit card statements?

Because of the risk of fraud, you should be careful about how you throw away credit card statements you no longer need. Simply tossing them in the trash is unsafe because it leaves too much of your personal information exposed; they need to be completely destroyed.

Should I shred junk mail?

Don’t just toss the junk mail in the trash bin; shred it. … Junk mail should be shredded or, in the United States, you can opt out of junk mail and pre-screened credit offers through the Federal Trade Commission’s unsolicited mail page.

Should old bank statements be shredded?

According to the Federal Trade Commission, you should shred documents containing sensitive information, including bank statements, to protect yourself from identity theft.

Can I throw out credit card offers?

You can simply toss them in the trash or recycle bin.

How do I get rid of old credit card bills?

“Credit cards should always be cut up into many pieces and those pieces should be disposed of in separate trash containers,” says Guild. “Ensure the credit card number itself is cut and that any pertinent information such as expiration and name is unable to be read.”