simplicity
Level 4
‎12-06-2019 04:24 PM
 
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PhoebeRoberts
Level 11
Level 11
‎12-06-2019 04:24 PM

You're not required by the IRS to keep a copy of the actual return at all. You have to maintain, for 3 years from date of filing, a record of taxpayer name, SSN, and type of form (1040 / 1120 / 1065 / etc) prepared.

You might find it prudent to keep more. But you don't *have* to.

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simplicity
Level 4
‎12-06-2019 04:24 PM
Thank You
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TaxMonkey
Level 8
‎12-06-2019 04:24 PM

I have never discarded one yet.  Paper records are scanned and moved to storage.

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taxes96786
Level 9
‎12-06-2019 04:24 PM
I put them on USB drives.  I do compliance work so need them at least 10 years back. Like TaxMonkey I actually have them going back to 1994 including all PS program installs and updates back to 1996.
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simplicity
Level 4
‎12-06-2019 04:24 PM
The original questions the IRS law of how long should tax returns be kept legally. of course most preparers as I keep them for a long period.
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Accountant-Man
Level 13
‎12-06-2019 04:24 PM

I used to keep a paper copy, back to 1993. Then we scanned them all, and only keep PDF copies since 2004.

** I'm still a champion... of the world! Even without The Lounge.
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