Managing Your Tax Records Post Filing

Keeping good records after you file your taxes is a good idea, as they will help you with

documentation and substantiation if the IRS selects your return for an audit. Here are five tips from

the IRS about keeping good records.

1. Normally, tax records should be kept for three years.

2. Some documents—such as records relating to a home purchase or sale, stock transactions, IRA

and business or rental property—should be kept longer.

3.In most cases, the IRS does not require you to keep records in any special manner. Generally

speaking, however, you should keep any and all documents that may have an impact on your

federal tax return.

4. Records you should keep include bills, credit card and other receipts, invoices, mileage logs,

canceled, imaged or substitute checks, proofs of payment, and any other records to support

deductions or credits you claim on your return.

5. For more information on what kinds of records to keep, see IRS Publication 552, Recordkeeping

for Individuals, which is available on the IRS website at www.irs.gov