How long do you keep IRS records?

Answer 1

Tax records such as receipts, canceled checks, and other documents that prove to the IRS an item of income or a tax deduction appearing on your tax return need to be kept until the statute of limitations expires for that tax return. Usuallyit is three years from the date the tax return was due or tax return was filed with the IRS, or two years from the date the tax was paid to the IRS, whichever is later. This is the time period in which the IRS can question your tax return; typically three years after it is filed. However,there is no statute of limitations when a tax return is false or fraudulent or when no tax return is filed with the IRS. You also need to keep some tax records indefinitely, such as tax records relating to property, since you may need those tax records to prove to the IRS the amount of gain or loss if the property is sold.