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Record Retention: Keep it or Toss it

Uncategorized General Personal Finance Financial Security Widow & Estate Planning

Carol Somoano, MBA, CFP®

Monday, 11 May 2020

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After your taxes are complete it is always a good idea to go through your records and organize what you should keep and what you can get rid of.

How long to keep records is a combination of judgment and state and federal statutes of limitations. Since federal tax returns can generally be audited for up to three years after filing and up to six years if the IRS suspects underreported income, it’s wise to keep tax records at least seven years after a return is filed. Requirements for records kept electronically are the same as for paper records. Many records can easily be kept on-line now and downloaded and to your computer, external drive or cloud account.

Records Retention Guideline # 1: Some items should never be thrown out

This is because these items would be hard to replace and you may be asked to provide them later in life. I suggest storing these “permanent records” in an expanding file or wallet – preferably in a fire safe box:

Income tax returns: if the return is uncomplicated then you only need to keep it for 7 years.
Important correspondence.
Legal documents.
Vital records (birth/death/marriage/divorce/adoption etc.).
Retirement and pension records.
Year-end investment statements.
- If the investments are transferred to another account make sure the cost basis has transferred over correctly.
- IRA non-deductible contributions (Form 8606).
Will and Trust documents.
Records of paid mortgages and other loans.

Records Retention Guideline # 2: Everything Else

You should retain these records according to the following guidelines:

Home purchase documents – Ownership period + 7 years.
- Property records/builder contracts/home improvement receipts (keep until property is sold – needed for taxes)
Car purchase and sale records (keep until car is sold + 3 years).
Insurance policies (keep for life of policy).
- If policy is changed to another company make sure that you keep the files together.
Sales receipts (keep for life of warranty or life of the item on large purchases).
Warranties and instructions (keep for life of product).
Medical bills – keep for 3 years or longer if there are any reimbursement questions.
No need to keep monthly statements for credit cards, bank statements, utilities, etc. if you receive a year end recap or are able to go online and view up to 3 years of statements.

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About the author

Carol Somoano, MBA, CFP®

Carol Somoano, MBA, CFP^®Financial Advisor

Carol Somoano, Vice President of Asset Planning Inc., is a Certified Financial Planner, CFP^®, and is responsible for portfolio and financial plan analysis. Before Carol joined API, Inc in 2005 she worked as a management accountant for 15 years before deciding to concentrate on financial planning. Carol obtained her B.S. in accounting from Cal Poly Pomona and her MBA from Cal State Fullerton. She completed the UCI Financial Planning program and passed the CFP exam in March of 2004. She is also a Notary Public and Realtor^®.

She is an active member of the Orange County Financial Planning Association and has participated in the OC Register Annual Financial Planning Hotline. She is an active volunteer in her community and has received an Honorary and Continuing Service Award from the California State Legislature in 2003 and 2007.

Carol’s core values are client-focused, emphasizing long-term relationships built on confidence and trust. She works diligently to increase her client’s net worth, plan for their future, and ultimately enhance their lives today.

Carol's hourly financial planning rate is $250. Carol's portfolio management fee is a maximum of 1% and is discounted for portfolios over $250,000.

PH: 714-827-5794 | Email Carol

Record Retention: Keep it or Toss it

About the author

Carol Somoano, MBA, CFP®

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