PhreeZone 20 #1 August 22, 2004 I'm turning into a bit of a pack rat in terms of paperwork around my house it seems. I was unboxing the last box from my move 2 months ago and its all old bills/reciepts. I went to file them away and realized that I've got old bills from 2001 still in my files. I've got every peice of paperwork associated with school from 5 years ago I was sent. My question is just how long should I keep some of these things on file for? I've heard 3-7 years for tax audit reasons... but is it ok if I toss reciepts from 2002 or bills from last year?Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jib 0 #2 August 22, 2004 If you're going to get rid of a bunch of stuff make sure you shred it. -------------------------------------------------- the depth of his depravity sickens me. -- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #3 August 22, 2004 Cross cut shredder already in my home office Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlyingJ 0 #4 August 22, 2004 I was a pack rat like that for ever, and was constantly made fun of for it. I showed them though...a couple years back (2002) I get a random letter in the mail from some law firm stating that a company from which I had bought something from (in 1996) had a class action lawsuit against them and all I had to do to get my ~$300 back was return the letter with a copy of the receipt. I went right to my files, pulled it out and sent it - received the money about a month and a half later after completely forgetting about it. The best thing is that I had been totally happy with the purchase in the first place! Keep those receipts! jasonKilling threads since 2004. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
flyangel2 2 #5 August 22, 2004 You are as bad as me. But I've changed my ways. Back in December of last year, I finally got around to cleaning out some boxes. I found in the box cancelled checks from 1999-2000. Why in the world I was saving those I don't know. Shredded them all. Now I shred every few months. Here is what I do. I have a notebook that I write what bill I paid, the date, and the check number. I pay my month bills, phone, cable, etc. Save the statement till the next month. If the statement shows that I have paid the last billing cycle, then I shred the last statement, and keep the most recent statement till the next month. Cancelled checks. I shred those every few months, cause I can access canceled checks on line now. Tax stuff. Save for seven years in a fire prove file box.May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpinfarmer 0 #6 August 22, 2004 Major pac rat here. I've got almost every receipt, bill, canceled check, and weight ticket there ever was for our farm. Some are 50 years old. It is neat though to be able to look back at what we bought and sold in the past. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AirMail 0 #7 August 22, 2004 Don't worry about the IRS. Just tell them all those receipts were destroyed in a fire. I guess you should probably have a fire now. P--- It's never too late to have a happy childhood. Postal Rodriguez, Muff 3342 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kelpdiver 2 #8 August 22, 2004 QuoteCross cut shredder already in my home office Fire is much more convenient. I have quite a collection - I keep all receipts over $10 with the notion that I'll put them into Quicken, but even I don't believe that lie anymore. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #9 August 22, 2004 QuoteQuoteCross cut shredder already in my home office Fire is much more convenient. Yep. I have a nice little bonefire in my fireplace a couple times/year. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jazzjumper 0 #10 August 22, 2004 QuoteMy question is just how long should I keep some of these things on file for? I've heard 3-7 years for tax audit reasons... but is it ok if I toss reciepts from 2002 or bills from last year? If it is something that is related to your income tax filing, the law says 7 years. What that means is if you get audited and have put something on your taxes that is substantiated by a receipt, less than 7 years old and you can't produce it, you're wrong. Otherwise, if it has nothing to do with the filing, trash it. No matter how good she looks, someone, somewhere is sick of her shit! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jahk 0 #11 August 23, 2004 I'm also a pack rat. But several years back, I was able to pull out 2 year old pay stubs to prove I had stayed in state during summer break, and establish residency for tuition. Saved me something on the order of $20,000 in tuition. JudithImelda Marcos just wanted some cute shoes that didn't make her feet hurt. Why's that so hard to understand? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
