debodun
SF VIP
- Location
- way upstate in New York, USA
I found boxes and bags of my income tax statements and yearly financial info dating back to the mid 1990s in the attic. What should I do with them and how far back should I keep the records?
NoShredding would be best. Are you allowed to burn trash?
I found out, the hard way, that one should keep your income tax statments for ever.I found boxes and bags of my income tax statements and yearly financial info dating back to the mid 1990s in the attic. What should I do with them and how far back should I keep the records?
My problem was I needed my tax returns from 10 years ago so my CPA could use that information to reduce my taxes.Maybe I am naive, but I have always thrown mine away like any other garbage. Never had a problem. I do wrap the so they are not so obvious.
I just toss mine, too, but I don't wrap them or bag them; I want them to get too yukky to read by letting it mix in with the yukky garbage. I do rip them up, tho. My son photographs his and downloads them to a data stick that's about an inch-and-a-half long. Then he shreds them.Maybe I am naive, but I have always thrown mine away like any other garbage. Never had a problem. I do wrap the so they are not so obvious.
I found boxes and bags of my income tax statements and yearly financial info dating back to the mid 1990s in the attic. What should I do with them and how far back should I keep the records?
In 2005 our house was flooded by a hurricane storm surge. All of our tax records and lots of other stuff was lost. The IRS gave us a lot of leeway. I just did the estimates myself and they accepted them, and we got a really good deduction out of it. We were in a declared disaster area, and there were lots of hurricanes that year, if that makes a difference. Never missed those lost records...Another consideration: weathers disasters which can cause a house, a boat, a car, and all property to be either swept away by wind, fire, and/or waters. I distinctly remember such a case where the only thing a taxpayer recovered was a strong box showing photos of his house and expensive jewelry. Sadly, he had no insurance and never recovered all the property he lost. He claimed a tax deduction under the old tax Code (it has since changed) on his 1040 Schedule A. In those days we had to consult experts on property assessments and after a few weeks I got back a report from our assistant. I told the taxpayer that he could have a major deduction and he was able to recover some money. I well remember that the guy was so thankful that we were able to help him to get at least some measure of recovery from the terrible disaster he endured.
I thought it was 7, , I shredded all but 7 years backShredding would be best. Are you allowed to burn trash? I think it's 10 years that records should be kept.
I thought it was 7, , I shredded all but 7 years back
This is a major concern for identity theft.as my tax lady says you would be surprised what someone can find out about you with just a small bit of info.
Wait...you threw away papers with your social security number and other personal information (eg: if you have investments, bank accounts) on them?! Luckily you never had problems because you are an identity theft victim waiting to happen! Just so ya know....when my oldest grandson was in his 20's my DIL found out that he was the victim of identity theft when he was very young. Don't ask me to explain how it happened because I don't remember. I just remember her being very upset about it.Maybe I am naive, but I have always thrown mine away like any other garbage. Never had a problem. I do wrap the so they are not so obvious.