Which 2015 tax records can you toss once you’ve filed your
This article organizes the original guidance on which 2015 tax records can you toss once you’ve filed your return? into clear sections for easier reading and reference.
Overview
This opening section presents the main context from the original post.
The short answer is: none. You need to hold on to all of your 2015 tax records for now. But this is a great time to take a look at your records for previous tax years and determine what you can purge.
The three-year rule
This section keeps the original guidance focused on the three-year rule.
At minimum, keep tax records for as long as the IRS has the ability to audit your return or assess additional taxes, which generally is three years after you file your return. This means you likely can shred and toss most records related to tax returns for 2012 and earlier years.
What to keep longer
This section keeps the original guidance focused on what to keep longer.
You’ll need to hang on to certain records beyond the statute of limitations:
- Keep tax returns themselves forever, so you can prove to the IRS that you actually filed. (There’s no statute of limitations for an audit if you didn’t file a return.)
- For W-2 forms, consider holding them until you begin receiving Social Security benefits. Why? In case a question arises regarding your work record or earnings for a particular year.
- For records related to real estate or investments, keep documents as long as you own the asset, plus three years after you sell it and report the sale on your tax return.
Just a starting point
This section keeps the original guidance focused on just a starting point.
This is only a sampling of retention guidelines for tax-related documents. If you have questions about other documents, please contact us.
Related Resources
These resources connect the article topic with related Bowers service pages and approved professional reading.
FAQ
The questions below summarize the main points already covered in the article.
What is the main focus of Which 2015 tax records can you toss once you’ve filed your return??
The article focuses on which 2015 tax records can you toss once you’ve filed your return? and organizes the original guidance into sections for easier review.
What topics does the article cover first?
The article begins with the three-year rule and then continues through the remaining points in the original post.
Which additional areas are included?
Additional sections include what to keep longer, just a starting point.
Does the post include action items or reminders?
Yes. The original post includes listed items that have been kept in list format for easier scanning.
Was the original post wording changed?
The revision keeps the author wording and updates the structure so the post is easier to read online.