As tax season comes to a close, you may be asking yourself: “Now that I’ve filed my income tax return and I’m planning on clearing out my old files, what tax documents can I shred? What do I need to keep? How long should I keep them?” Our tax shredding guide is here to help.
Watch the video or read the transcript below to learn best practices when shredding your tax records and why you should keep those records for at least 3 years.
Video Transcript
Typically, the IRS has 3 years after the due date of your return (or the date you file it) to initiate an audit, so you should plan to keep your tax returns and supporting documents for at least 3 years before shredding them.
There are some exceptions though, as some types of documents need to be kept for more or less than the “3-Year Rule.” There are 3 main milestones for how long you should keep old tax records before shredding: 1 year, 3 years, and 6 years.
Retention Times
Different types of information used for your taxes need to be kept after filing for both security and legal compliance. It’s important you’re able to provide all the documents you used to file, as the IRS has up to 6 years to audit tax returns.
| Retention Time | Document Type |
|---|---|
| 1 Year |
|
| 3 Years |
|
| 6 Years | If you fail to report 25% or more of gross income (not recommended):
|
Tax Shredding Timeline Guide
As you do taxes each year, you can follow a schedule or timeline to be sure you stay organized with what records to keep, and what you should be shredding after submitting your return.
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- 1 Year
As you file taxes, compare your pay stubs over the past year to W-2s. Similarly, compare monthly brokerage statements to your 1099s to ensure they line up. Once you submit the return, shred those stubs and statements.
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- 3 Years
After filing, go back 3 years to shred the old tax return forms, W-2s, 1099s, K-1s, canceled checks, receipts for charitable contributions, and other information used in past taxes.
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- 6 Years
While it’s not recommended, if you file your tax return and fail to report more than 25% of your gross income, wait to shred those W-2s, 1099s, and other tax forms for 6 years in case of an IRS audit.
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- 7 Years
After keeping for 7 years, shred old tax records for closed retirement accounts (like IRAs) and losses from worthless securities or bad debt deductions.
Tax Shredding Special Situations Guide
While most records have a solid retention time, there are some more unique situations that require a different approach for how long to keep them.
Nondeductible IRA Contributions
Keep records showing contributions to a nondeductible IRA for 3 years after the account is depleted. Without these, you can’t prove you already paid taxes on contributions and shouldn’t be taxed when the money is withdrawn.
Taxable Account Transaction Records
To report purchase dates and prices in order to establish your cost basis for the year, keep investment records showing transactions in a taxable account (like stock, bond, mutual fund, and other investment purchases) for up to 3 years after you sell the investments.
Home Purchase & Improvement Records
Keep home purchase documents and receipts for home improvements for 3 years after selling the home. Most people don’t have to pay taxes on home sales, but because deductions can change depending on how long you lived in the house, it’s important to keep home purchase records.
Managing Tax Files: Post-Filing To-Do’s
While you may want to wipe your hands and walk away after you finish your taxes, there are a few last steps you need to take before pushing out your chair.
- Shred Old Documents
Identity theft numbers climb every year. It’s important to securely dispose of the sensitive information in your tax files.
When it’s time to shred, be sure to use cross-cutting or other more secure types of shredding services.
- Securely Store Hard-Copy Records
A common recommendation for storing paper files is a fire-proof safe.
Alternatively, record storage facilities use climate control and fire-suppression systems to prevent disaster. They can also track retention and notify you when it’s time to shred old records.
- Scan & Convert to Digital Files
One option for managing the documents you need to keep for future tax returns is to scan them and store your records digitally.
With digital records, it’s easy to organize and keep track of files. This helps you avoid losing the documents you need to keep for an extended period of time.
- Store Digital Records in the Cloud
The IRS will still accept digital files as long as they’re legible. So, in order to save space and stay organized, consider keeping a backup of your tax records using a cloud storage service.
Ready to Take Action After Reading Our Tax Shredding Guide?
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