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	Records Retention Guidelines
	By Ramona Creel

Feel free to use this tip sheet / checklist as you tackle your own ""do-it-yourself"" organizing projects. If you would like to REPRINT or DISTRIBUTE this information, please click here for reprinting instructions.

• income tax returns
• income tax payment checks
• investment trade confirmations
• important correspondence
• legal records
• retirement and pension records
• CPA audit reports
• annual financial statements and books of account
• corporate documents (incorporation, charter, by-laws, etc.)
• stock records
• retirement and pension records
• licenses, patents, and trademarks and registration packets
• investment trade confirmations
• documents substantiating fixed asset additions
• note: consult your accountant before getting rid of any financial paperwork
• note: consult your attorney before getting rid of any legal paperwork

• bank reconciliation and cancelled checks
• canceled payroll and dividend checks
• personnel and payroll records
• purchase records
• sales records
• travel and entertainment records
• supporting documents for tax returns
• property records / improvement receipts (if tax-related)
• sales receipts (if tax-related)
• utility records (if tax-related)
• other bills (if tax-related)
• note: consult your accountant before getting rid of any financial paperwork
• note: consult your attorney before getting rid of any legal paperwork

• monthly financial statements
• credit card statements (for internal use)
• employment applications (unless your profession requires longer)
• expired insurance policies
• note: consult your accountant before getting rid of any financial paperwork
• note: consult your attorney before getting rid of any legal paperwork

• income tax returns
• income tax payment checks
• investment trade confirmations
• important correspondence
• legal records
• retirement and pension records
• CPA audit reports
• note: consult your accountant before getting rid of any financial paperwork
• note: please consult your attorney before getting rid of any legal paperwork

• supporting documents for tax returns
• accident reports and claims
• medical bills (if tax-related)
• property records / improvement receipts (if tax-related)
• sales receipts (if tax-related)
• utility records (if tax-related)
• other bills (if tax-related)
• note: consult your accountant before getting rid of any financial paperwork
• note: consult your attorney before getting rid of any legal paperwork

• credit card statements
• medical bills (in case of insurance disputes)
• utility records (for internal use)
• expired insurance policies
• note: consult your accountant before getting rid of any financial paperwork
• note: consult your attorney before getting rid of any legal paperwork

• car records (keep until the car is sold)
• credit card receipts (keep until verified on your statement)
• insurance policies (keep for the life of the policy)
• mortgages / deeds / leases (keep 6 years beyond the agreement)
• pay stubs (keep until reconciled with your W-2)
• property records / improvement receipts (keep until property sold)
• sales receipts (keep for life of the warranty)
• stock and bond records (keep for 6 years beyond selling)
• warranties and instructions (keep for the life of the product)
• other bills (keep until payment is verified on the next bill)
• note: consult your accountant before getting rid of any financial paperwork
• note: consult your attorney before getting rid of any legal paperwork

 

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