Storing tax records: How long is long enough?

April 15 has come and gone and another year of tax forms and shoe boxes full of receipts is behind us. But what should be done with those documents after your check or refund request is in the mail?

Federal law requires you to maintain copies of your tax returns and supporting documents for three years. This is called the “three-year law” and leads many people to believe they’re safe provided they retain their documents for this period of time.

However, if the IRS believes you have significantly under reported your income (by 25 percent or more), it may go back six years in an audit. If there is any indication of fraud, or you do not file a return, no period of limitation exists.To be safe, use the following guidelines

Documents/Records to be Kept for

Business

Personal

Special Circumstances

Accident Reports, Claims

Accounts Payable Ledgers and Schedules

Accounts Receivable Ledgers and Schedules

Bank Statements and Reconciliations

Cancelled Checks

Cancelled Stock and Bond Certificates

Employment Tax Records

Expense Analysis and Expense Distribution Schedules

Expired Contracts, Leases

Expired Option Records

Inventories of Products, Materials, Supplies

Invoices to Customers

Notes Receivable Ledgers, Schedules

Payroll Records and Summaries, including payment to pensioners

Plant Cost Ledgers

Purchasing Department Copies of Purchase Orders

Sales Records

Subsidiary Ledgers

Time Books

Travel and Entertainment Records

Vouchers for Payments to Vendors, Employees, etc.

Voucher Register, Schedules

While federal guidelines do not require you to keep tax records “forever,” in many cases there will be other reasons you’ll want to retain these documents indefinitely.

Audit Reports from CPAs/Accountants

Cancelled Checks for Important Payments (especially tax payments)

Cash Books, Charts of Accounts

Contracts, Leases Currently in Effect

Corporate Documents (incorporation, charter, by-laws, etc.)

Documents substantiating fixed asset additions

Deeds

Depreciation Schedules

Financial Statements (Year End)

General and Private Ledgers, Year End Trial Balances

Insurance Records, Current Accident Reports, Claims, Policies

Investment Trade Confirmations