How long do I need to keep my business tax records?

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Q: In the May 2008 Issue of Health Magazine, Your Article Said You Only Need to Keep Your Tax Records Three years After Filing a Tax Return. My Understanding Was That the IRS Could File Up to Six Years Later. I Have a Small Business and Have Been Keeping My Records Six Years. What is the Current Ruling for This?

A: Under section 6501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, the IRS is required to assess tax within three years after a tax return is filed. Therefore, most people need only keep tax records for three years after filing a tax return, because that is the time period during which:
a) a taxpayer can amend a tax return to claim a credit or refund; or
b) the IRS can assess additional tax

As you are self-employed, however, there are a few circumstances in which you should keep records longer. Keep employment-related tax records for at least 4 years. Also, if you ever under-report income by 25% or more of the gross amount shown on your tax return, then you should keep records for at least six years after you file a return. In such as case, the IRS has six years to assess taxes – not just three. What’s more you should keep tax records indefinitely if you file a fraudulent return, or if you do not file a return at all. But I assume that these last two scenarios don’t apply to you.

According to the IRS, “the exact length of time you should keep a document depends on the action, expense or event the document records.”

The IRS further offers this guidance:

1.   You owe additional tax and situations (2), (3), and (4), below, do not apply to you; keep records for 3 years.
2.   You do not report income that you should report, and it is more than 25% of the gross income shown on your return; keep records for 6 years.
3.   You file a fraudulent return; keep records indefinitely.
4.   You do not file a return; keep records indefinitely.
5.   You file a claim for credit or refund* after you file your return; keep records for 3 years from the date you filed your original return or 2 years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later.
6.   You file a claim for a loss from worthless securities or bad debt deduction; keep records for 7 years.
7.   Keep all employment tax records for at least 4 years after the date that the tax becomes due or is paid, whichever is later.

Here’s the direct link to exact page on the IRS’s website that answers the question: How long should I keep records? http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98513,00.html

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How long do I need to keep my business tax records?

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