As a general rule, keep in mind the following:
Taxes; Returns; Cancelled checks/receipts (alimony, charitable contributions, mortgage interest and retirement plan contributions); Records for tax deductions taken: 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 under reported your gross income by 25% or more.
- There is no time limit if you failed to file your return or filed a fraudulent return.
IRA contribution records: Permanently
If you made a nondeductible contribution to an IRA, keep the record indefinitely to prove that you already paid tax on this money when the time comes to withdraw.