Summertime Tax Tip from the IRS - Keeping Good Tax Records
In a tax emergency, would you be ready? Well–organized records not only help you prepare your tax return, but they also help you answer questions if your return is selected for examination or prepare a response if you are billed for additional tax.
Fortunately, you don’t have to keep all tax records around forever. Normally, tax records should be kept for three years, but some documents — such as records relating to a home purchase or sale, stock transactions, IRA and business or rental property — should be kept longer.
If you are an employer, you must keep all your employment tax records for at least 4 years after the tax becomes due or is paid, whichever is later.
If you are in business, there is no particular method of bookkeeping you must use. However, you must clearly and accurately show your gross income and expenses. The records should substantiate both your income and expenses.
Publication 552, Recordkeeping for Individuals, provides more detailed information on individual record keeping requirements.
Publication 583, Starting a Business and Keeping Records, and Publication 463, Travel, Entertainment, Gift, and Car Expenses, provide additional information on required documentation for taxpayers with business expenses.
It’s a good idea to speak with a CPA if you are unsure of your record keeping requirements. Please contact us if we can be of assistance.
Notice: To ensure compliance with Treasury Department regulations, we wish to inform you that any tax advice that may be contained in this communication is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or applicable state or local tax law provisions or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related matters addressed herein.
