Personal Record Retention Guide
While it’s important to keep year-end mutual fund and IRA contribution statements forever, you don’t have to save monthly and quarterly statements once the year-end statement has arrived.
Personal Documents To Keep For Three Years
Credit Card Statements
Medical Bills (in case of insurance disputes)
Utility Records
Expired Insurance Policies
Personal Documents To Keep For Six Years
Supporting Documents For Tax Returns
Accident Reports and Claims
Medical Bills (if tax-related)
Sales Receipts
Wage Garnishments
Other Tax-Related Bills
Personal Records To Keep Forever
CPA Audit Reports
Legal Records
Important Correspondence
Income Tax Returns
Income Tax Payment Checks
Property Records / Improvement Receipts (or six years after property sold)
Investment Trade Confirmations
Retirement and Pension Records
Special Circumstances
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)
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)
Depreciation Schedules and Other Capital Asset Records (keep for 3 years
after the tax life of the asset)
