I keep mine forever, they say 7 years unless fraud is suspected, so I am prepared for either option.

Good morning Frank. I keep 5 years, everything else gets shredded.

I have always been told 7 years.

They have the information on irs.gov. I just checked it last week.

I take into account a number of factors including, but not limited to, the jurisdiction(s) that the tax records relate to, the type of tax(es) and/or tax forms, the laws and regulations relating to the tax records, when the tax forms were filed, when the tax forms and returns were assessed and/or reassessed, whether there are any audits, appeals, waivers, court cases that are ongoing, upcoming, etc, whether tax records may be required for future tax return support, whether permission has been obtained to destroy tax records, the nature of the income, expense, or capitalized item, etc.

I am with Bob Crane, I keep them for at least 10 years.

 Good Sunday morning Frank. From what I understand, you have to keep your record seven years.

7 years for the IRS, they can audit back that long.

Our State real estate laws require seven years.

Bob Crane  has the best answer...better safe than sorry. but i am a pack rat

I've heard you need to keep them for 3 to 5 years.  I typically try to err on the side of caution.

I found out after an audit by the IRS that 7 years is the requirement, however, I don't throw any of them away just because of that audit.

I keep mine 5 years. I believe that will do it unless fraud is proven and then they can go back a few years before that. I'm not worried about that though.

7 years