Smart Money

How long to keep financial records

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By Bankrate.com
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You can’t take everything with you, but you should safely store or electronically scan and save certain essential documents. The following are suggestions about how long you should keep personal finance and investment records on file:

Financial records timeline
Type of record Length of time to keep, and why:
Taxes
Returns

Canceled checks/receipts (alimony, charitable contributions, mortgage interest and retirement plan contributions)

Records for tax deductions taken

 Length of time to keep, and why:
Seven years
  • The IRS has three years from your filing date to audit your return if it suspects good-faith errors.
  • The three-year deadline also applies if you discover a mistake in your return and decide to file an amended return to claim a refund.
  • The IRS has six years to challenge your return if it thinks you underreported your gross income by 25 percent or more.
  • There is no time limit if you failed to file your return or filed a fraudulent return.
IRA contribution records Length of time to keep, and why:
Permanently

If you made a nondeductible contribution to an IRA, keep the records indefinitely to prove that you already paid tax on this money when the time comes to withdraw.
Retirement/savings plan statements Length of time to keep, and why:
From one year to permanently
  • Keep the quarterly statements from your 401(k) or other plans until you receive the annual summary; if everything matches up, then shred the quarterlies.
  • Keep the annual summaries until you retire or close the account.
Bank records Length of time to keep, and why:
From one year to permanently
  • Go through your checks each year and keep those related to your taxes, business expenses, home improvements and mortgage payments.
  • Shred those that have no long-term importance.
Brokerage statements Length of time to keep, and why:
Until you sell the securities

You need the purchase or sales slips from your brokerage or mutual fund to prove whether you have capital gains or losses at tax time.
Bills Length of time to keep, and why:
From one year to permanently
  • Go through your bills once a year.
  • In most cases, when the canceled check from a paid bill has been returned, you can shred the bill.
  • However, bills for big purchases — such as jewelry, rugs, appliances, antiques, cars, collectibles, furniture, computers, etc. — should be kept in an insurance file for proof of their value in the event of loss or damage.
Credit card receipts and statements Length of time to keep, and why:
From 45 days to seven years
  • Keep your original receipts until you get your monthly statement; shred the receipts if the two match up.
  • Keep the statements for seven years if tax-related expenses are documented.
Paycheck stubs Length of time to keep, and why:
One year
  • When you receive your annual W-2 form from your employer, make sure the information on your stubs matches.
  • If it does, shred the stubs.
  • If it doesn’t, demand a corrected form, known as a W-2c.
House/condominium records Length of time to keep, and why:
From six years to permanently
  • Keep all records documenting the purchase price and the cost of all permanent improvements — such as remodeling, additions and installations.
  • Keep records of expenses incurred in selling and buying the property, such as legal fees and your real estate agent’s commission, for six years after you sell your home.
  • Holding on to these records is important because any improvements you make on your house, as well as expenses in selling it, are added to the original purchase price or cost basis. This adds up to a greater profit (also known as capital gains) when you sell your house. Therefore, you lower your capital gains tax.

Source: Marquette National Bank, IRS and Consumer Credit Counseling Services of Greater Chicago

For tips on creating an organization system that works, see the main story, “How to organize your financial paperwork.”

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