Generally, taxpayers should hold on to their tax records for at least three years after the due date of the return to which those records apply.
However, if the original return was filed later than the due date, including if the taxpayer received an extension, the actual filing date is substituted for the due date. There are a few other circumstances that might require you to keep these records longer than three years.
The statute of limitations in many states is one year longer than the federal statute. This is because the IRS provides state tax authorities with federal audit results. The extra year gives the states adequate time to assess taxes based on any federal tax adjustments.
Federal Document Retention Guidelines Differ
In addition to the potential confusion caused by the state statutes, the federal three-year rule has several exceptions that complicate the recordkeeping issue:
- 💡 The assessment period is extended to six years if a taxpayer omits more than 25% of their gross income on a tax return.
- 💡 The IRS can assess additional taxes without time limits if a taxpayer doesn’t file a return, files a false or fraudulent return, or deliberately tries to evade tax.
- 💡 The IRS has unlimited time to assess additional tax when a taxpayer files an unsigned return.
If none of these exceptions apply to you, then for federal purposes, you can probably discard most of your tax records that are more than three years old. However, you may need to add a year or more if you live in a state with a longer statute of limitations.
🚩 Important note
Although you can discard backup records, do not throw away the filed copies of any tax returns or W-2s. Often, these returns provide data that can be used in future tax-return calculations or to prove the amounts of property transactions, social security benefits, and so on. You should also keep certain records for longer than three years:
- ✅ Stock acquisition data: If you own stock in a corporation, keep the purchase records for at least four years after selling the stock. The purchase data is needed to prove the amount of profit (or loss) you had on the sale.
- ✅ Statements for stocks and mutual funds with reinvested dividends: Many taxpayers use the dividends they receive from a stock or mutual fund to buy more shares of the same stock or fund. These reinvested amounts add to the basis of the property and reduce the gain when it is eventually sold. Keep these statements for at least four years after the final sale.
- ✅ Tangible property purchase and improvement records: Keep records of home, investment, rental property, or business property acquisitions, as well as all related capital improvements, for at least four years after the underlying property is sold.
Tax return copies from prior years are also helpful for the following:
- Verifying Income: Lenders require copies of past tax returns on loan applications.
- Validate Identity: Taxpayers who use tax-filing software products for the first time may need to provide their adjusted gross incomes from prior years’ tax returns to verify their identities.
The IRS Can Provide Copies Of Prior-Year Returns
Taxpayers who have misplaced a copy of a prior year’s return can order a tax transcript from the IRS. This transcript summarizes the return information and includes AGI. This service is free and is available for the most current tax year once the IRS has processed the return. These transcripts are also available for the past six years’ returns. When ordering a transcript, always plan ahead, as online and phone orders typically take 5 to 10 days to fulfill. Mail orders of transcripts can take 30 days (75 days for full tax returns). There are three ways to order a transcript:
- 1️⃣ Online Using Get Transcript: Use Get Transcript Online on IRS.gov to view, print, or download a copy for any of the transcript types. Users must authenticate their identities using the Secure Access process. Taxpayers who are unable to register or who prefer not to use Get Transcript Online may use Get Transcript by Mail to order a tax return or account transcript.
- 2️⃣ By phone: The number is 800-908-9946.
- 3️⃣ By mail: Taxpayers can complete and send either Form 4506-T or Form 4506T-EZ to the IRS to receive a transcript by mail.
Those who need an actual copy of a tax return can get one for the current tax year and for as far back as six years. The fee is $50 per copy. Complete Form 4506 to request a copy of a tax return and mail that form to the appropriate IRS office (which is listed on the form).
Need More Help?
If you have questions about which records you should retain and which ones you can dispose of, please give our office a call. We’re here to make sure your tax records are in perfect order, so you can focus on more important things.
Whether you need guidance on tax document retention or help navigating IRS guidelines, we’re just a phone call away.