Do you know how long to keep tax records, bank statements, utility bills and other important documents? Here are some suggestions to help. Whether you've got a state-of-the-art filing system. or just a couple of old shoe boxes, knowing how long to keep important documents before shredding or deleting is key to helping you stay organized so you can avoid unnecessary clutter. Keep monthly records until transactions have been verified Some documents only need to be kept for a short time before they can safely be disposed of. For things like monthly bills and account statements, consider keeping these until you've been able to verify that all transactions have been cleared and all payments have been posted to the accounts. This usually happens within the month, but sometimes it can take a little longer. Utility bills Bank statements Credit card statements PAID ADVERTISEMENT How long to keep documents before shredding Keep insurance policies while they remain active When it comes to insurance, consider keeping current documentation and updated proof of insurance as long as you're paying on the policies, and they remain active. Any time you receive any new/updated policy information, consider shredding the outdated documents. And while most states accept electronic versions of your auto insurance card, you may want to keep a printed version in your glove compartment just in case. Car insurance Homeowners insurance Renters insurance Life insurance Umbrella insurance Keep tax records according to IRS recommendations The IRS has developed a list of recommended time periods to keep tax records based on a taxpayer's situation. In general, tax returns can be examined by the IRS for up to three years after filing. However, that period can increase in certain situations. For example, it can increase to six years in cases of unreported income that is more than 25% of the gross income shown on the tax return, it can increase to seven years if a claim was filed for a loss from worthless securities, and it can extend indefinitely in cases of fraud or when no return was filed. Luckily the IRS accepts legible electronic records, which can come in handy if you prefer to save things electronically. Just see that you delete any tax-related records from your electronic devices before trading them in or disposing of them to help protect yourself from identity theft and fraud. Keep original printouts of personal documents forever Some documents should be kept forever. And because photocopies and scanned images of legal papers are usually not valid, think about storing original printouts in a fire-resistant safe. Marriage licenses Divorce decrees Custody decrees Birth certificates Adoption papers Death certificates Wills Trusts Powers of attorney Social Security cards Citizenship papers Military records Real estate deeds, mortgage documents, closing papers and receipts for home improvements Vehicles - titles and purchase or lease documents Household items receipts, warranty certificates and operating instructions Financial-investments, stock certificates and retirement plan records Printouts vs. electronic copies Many important documents can now be stored electronically. In fact, you can even sign up for electronic billing, which not only can help you stay organized, but can also help the environment by eliminating unnecessary waste. Another benefit to online billing is that you won't have to remember how long you'll need to hold onto the documentation, because many billing companies will do it for you. Don't forget to shred it before you toss it Once you've determined you no longer need to hang onto a document that contains sensitive information, shred it so your personal Keep property and investment records information doesn't accidentally fall into the while you own the asset For property and investments, hang onto important paperwork and documentation as long as you own the asset. wrong hands. The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with State Farm including State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates. While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the infor mation State Farm is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the content of any third party sites that might be hyperlinked from this page. The information is not intended to replace manuals, instructions or information provided by a manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional, or to affect coverage under any applicable insurance policy. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. State Farm makes no guarantees of results from use of this information. Neither State Farm nor its agents provide tax or legal advice. State Farm Providing Insurance and Financial Services Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 State Farm® Johnsen Insurance and Fin. Svcs. Inc. Jennifer Johnsen-Nazareth, Agent 1810 Mt. Nebo Rd. Sewickley, PA 15143 Bus: 412-741-1600 www.seejennifer.com Do you know how long to keep tax records , bank statements , utility bills and other important documents ? Here are some suggestions to help . Whether you've got a state - of - the - art filing system . or just a couple of old shoe boxes , knowing how long to keep important documents before shredding or deleting is key to helping you stay organized so you can avoid unnecessary clutter . Keep monthly records until transactions have been verified Some documents only need to be kept for a short time before they can safely be disposed of . For things like monthly bills and account statements , consider keeping these until you've been able to verify that all transactions have been cleared and all payments have been posted to the accounts . This usually happens within the month , but sometimes it can take a little longer . Utility bills Bank statements Credit card statements PAID ADVERTISEMENT How long to keep documents before shredding Keep insurance policies while they remain active When it comes to insurance , consider keeping current documentation and updated proof of insurance as long as you're paying on the policies , and they remain active . Any time you receive any new / updated policy information , consider shredding the outdated documents . And while most states accept electronic versions of your auto insurance card , you may want to keep a printed version in your glove compartment just in case . Car insurance Homeowners insurance Renters insurance Life insurance Umbrella insurance Keep tax records according to IRS recommendations The IRS has developed a list of recommended time periods to keep tax records based on a taxpayer's situation . In general , tax returns can be examined by the IRS for up to three years after filing . However , that period can increase in certain situations . For example , it can increase to six years in cases of unreported income that is more than 25 % of the gross income shown on the tax return , it can increase to seven years if a claim was filed for a loss from worthless securities , and it can extend indefinitely in cases of fraud or when no return was filed . Luckily the IRS accepts legible electronic records , which can come in handy if you prefer to save things electronically . Just see that you delete any tax - related records from your electronic devices before trading them in or disposing of them to help protect yourself from identity theft and fraud . Keep original printouts of personal documents forever Some documents should be kept forever . And because photocopies and scanned images of legal papers are usually not valid , think about storing original printouts in a fire - resistant safe . Marriage licenses Divorce decrees Custody decrees Birth certificates Adoption papers Death certificates Wills Trusts Powers of attorney Social Security cards Citizenship papers Military records Real estate deeds , mortgage documents , closing papers and receipts for home improvements Vehicles - titles and purchase or lease documents Household items receipts , warranty certificates and operating instructions Financial - investments , stock certificates and retirement plan records Printouts vs. electronic copies Many important documents can now be stored electronically . In fact , you can even sign up for electronic billing , which not only can help you stay organized , but can also help the environment by eliminating unnecessary waste . Another benefit to online billing is that you won't have to remember how long you'll need to hold onto the documentation , because many billing companies will do it for you . Don't forget to shred it before you toss it Once you've determined you no longer need to hang onto a document that contains sensitive information , shred it so your personal Keep property and investment records information doesn't accidentally fall into the while you own the asset For property and investments , hang onto important paperwork and documentation as long as you own the asset . wrong hands . The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with State Farm including State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates . While we believe it to be reliable and accurate , we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the infor mation State Farm is not responsible for , and does not endorse or approve , either implicitly or explicitly , the content of any third party sites that might be hyperlinked from this page . The information is not intended to replace manuals , instructions or information provided by a manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional , or to affect coverage under any applicable insurance policy . These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure . State Farm makes no guarantees of results from use of this information . Neither State Farm nor its agents provide tax or legal advice . State Farm Providing Insurance and Financial Services Home Office , Bloomington , Illinois 61710 State Farm® Johnsen Insurance and Fin . Svcs . Inc. Jennifer Johnsen - Nazareth , Agent 1810 Mt. Nebo Rd . Sewickley , PA 15143 Bus : 412-741-1600 www.seejennifer.com