Why should you keep tax records for a minimum of three years?
The best course of action is to keep your tax records for a minimum of three years. This is not an arbitrary number, as even the IRS is suggesting you do just that on their own website. You should keep them for this amount of time because after filing a return, you should be able to show the papers for which you applied for another two years from the date you paid the tax or filed the return.
The same goes if you have filed for a credit or a refund after you have already filed for a tax return. There is a statute of limitation that the IRS has to follow, and they cannot ask to audit your files if you haven’t done anything wrong on the files after three years. However, this statute is different depending on certain factors, and this is where we get into the exceptions!
I print out of my Taxes as filed. I typically use TurboTax and while they are saved in a TurboTax format, they should also be saved as a pdf which make them much easier to read/refer to. Each version of Turbotax seems to be unique, so it you wanted to read your taxes from 5 years ago, you would need to have that year version of TT installed making a pdf easier to review. Then I put the software used to do my taxes with a CD of my taxes return in the manilla envelope, mark the year on the outside and put the envelope in the box. I can usually get at least 2 envelope’s in each box. I also write the years of the taxes inside on the box with a magic marker.
I do my taxes with turbo, But I thought they save them for you in case you need them ! How do you get software so you can print and put on a cd ?
Thank you for the info👍
You buy the CD program at a store instead of doing it online…
I however … will never ever again use TurboTax. Twice now it has caused me issues with the IRS. The last one costing me 2years before they would process my taxes.
Very interesting
After 10 years of keeping old tax records, I throw out the old records, and keep the new ones for ten years.
Be sure to shred the old records & not just throw them out, as they contain your Social Security numbers & other info that thieves would love to have — but you probably know that anyways.
Easier than shredding is to place them in a basin of water for a few minutes then crumple them up and have fun making papier mache figures out of them.
Love all information, having a Tax information PowerPoint Tea presentation for Seniors.
Where is the information you loved? I am unable to find any specific information about what to keep and for how long.
Actually not enough information here to know what to keep and how long? What are the details to know how long one should keep tax returns and which ones?
You did not leave a more definite timeline? You just said what some people do. that was NO HELP.
How long do I have to keep the Medicare and other health insurance bills/ payments?
Did no answer the question !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
we were told 4 years..anything before that shredd them…we saved all of them took us days to shredd them all except the last 4 years everything else got shredded..
Working for CPA firms for decades, it was the Company’s policy to store client’s tax returns and backup paperwork (on site) for 7 years unless you’ve been audited by either the Feds or the State. If audited, we stored their returns and back up paperwork (on site) forever
wasted my time. no information, just hearsay.
How long do you keep estate records from being and executor?
Hello. I have heard numerous different words on this very topic. As a rule of thumb,
may I suggest Seven years. However may I suggest that you ask a lawyer to be sure.
Your circumstance may vary. A good piece of advise always check it out. You see, to
be truthful, it’s better to be safe and free. Don’t you agree???
I recently had to apply for Medicare B. Because I am just retired, i used my employers plan because it was better. I had to go back and find my documents (tax returns) from the time i was 65 years. I had two other employers in the meantime and they could not give me what their plans were. And the information I needed. I tried the IRS. No luck. I needed to find returns for six years. IRS does not keep all tax returns. Only for three years. If you need something before that you are out of luck. My former HR dept. helped me get those the information I needed, , or I would have had to pay a fine to enroll in Medicare, because I could not proof of Insurance. That was 15 years of tax returns. I am 80.
This was stupid, I gained nothing from this. But some people did, maybe I’m stupid 🤔.
The 7-yeqr doesn’t apply to 401(k)’s, even if you have a plan created by a financial institution. Teh IRS expects you to keep copies of what the financial institution sends you, particularly if it is something you had to sign.
You need to keep tax returns for 7 years. Not 4 not 10 7 years.
How long are you to save old tax returns ? straght answer only !!
Keep all tax records 7 years. Every tax expert I have ever asked about this issue is the same….7 years!
Great information. I wish it could be copied and then put in with specific purposes: income tax statements, donations, health bills, etc. I keep all my information together in file folders. I am sure there is a better way to do this.
I use turbo tax because of rental property. I used for 10 years very happy. I was told by my cousin who was a IRS agent seven years.