I've heard 5 years I've heard longer, I cant find it on the IRS website anybody know for sure?

I heard 7 but keep them 8. Corps are longer I believe.h

8 years

ok, 7 years but most people are not aware that the IRS considers this to be 2004 (2005 W2's and returns haven't been filed yet) see what I mean?

Your supposed to keep them?  

Quoted: 8 years ok, 7 years but most people are not aware that the IRS considers this to be 2004 (2005 W2's and returns haven't been filed yet) see what I mean?

87 YEARS !  

the day after I cash the refund check

I keep mine for 5 years

Found this link clarkhoward.com/shownotes/category/7/18/209/387/

What records to keep:
# Tax returns, keep forever  
# Tax return documentation, for six years
# Contracts, forever  
# Real estate records, forever  
# Last pay stub of a job if you leave that job  
# Last pay stub of the year for your current job
# All mortgage payment checks (statements), until mortgage is paid off
# All student loan payments, until loan is paid off
# Car loan payment stubs, until the car is paid off
# Cancelled checks, for 7 years  
# Bank deposit slips, for 7 years  
# Bank statements, for 7 years  
# Home improvement records, ownership period plus 7 years  
# Investment records, ownership period plus 7 years  

What records to toss:
# Credit card statements that are more than three years old
# Past insurance statement
# Old utility bills, except the most recent one from your old address if you've moved
# Recently paid bills (statements), once you have something saying they've been paid  

More searching led me to this:

IRS .pdf

Some searches on this have taught me that the irs makes you prove you are inocent, until you do so you are guilty.

I know people who keep nothing since lots of stuff can be re-sent from their employer, the bank, the credit card company, and whoever else they use.

I know folks who have everything from as far back as they started working and had to do this paperwork themselves instead of the parents claiming them as a dependant.

I have no answer.  

Time to start dumping paper.....

Quoted: Quoted: 8 years ok, 7 years but most people are not aware that the IRS considers this to be 2004 (2005 W2's and returns haven't been filed yet) see what I mean? 87 YEARS !

This Post Should Be Banned

www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p552.pdf

Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: 8 years ok, 7 years but most people are not aware that the IRS considers this to be 2004 (2005 W2's and returns haven't been filed yet) see what I mean? 87 YEARS !   This Post Should Be Banned

w00t !!!

Thanks for the help, now i dont get to throw anything away

Carry on 87 more posts

The law is now 7 years (thanks to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).  Private and public tax filers are following this rule because you never know when it will hit the private sector.  Be prepared.

Quoted: the day after I cash the refund check

That's right you need to burn the evidence