How long do I have to keep this stuff?
“How long do I have to keep this stuff?” is the usual question you ask yourself when feeling that you are running out of room for all this “paper” that may never be needed. The paper receipt you get from your fast-food lunch may go directly into the trash. The prudent consumer may keep it […]
How long do I have to keep this stuff?
“How long do I have to keep this stuff?” is the usual question you ask yourself when feeling that you are running out of room for all this “paper” that may never be needed. The paper receipt you get from your fast-food lunch may go directly into the trash. The prudent consumer may keep it […]

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“How long do I have to keep this stuff?” is the usual question you ask yourself when feeling that you are running out of room for all this “paper” that may never be needed.

The paper receipt you get from your fast-food lunch may go directly into the trash. The prudent consumer may keep it to reconcile it with their monthly statement and then, trash it. The natural hierarchy with receipts and documents associated with purchases is that as the price or value goes up, the more important it is to keep them. The question becomes “but for how long?”

The following table will give you an indication on how long certain documents related to your home need to be kept according to best practices of tax professionals. IRS recommends that records are kept for three years from the date the taxpayer files their original return or two years from the date the tax was paid, whichever is later. There is no time limit in the case of fraud or failure to file a tax return.

Document Length of time to keep
Home Purchase/Sale Documents
Home purchase documents Duration of ownership + 3 years
Closing documents & statements Duration of ownership + 3 years
Deed to property Duration of ownership
Home warranty or service contract Until expiration
Community/Condo Association Covenants Duration of ownership
Receipts for capital improvements Duration of ownership + 3 years
Mortgage Payoff statements or Release of Lien Forever, in case proof is needed
Annual Tax Deductions
Property tax statement & cancelled check 3 years after IRS due date for return
Year-end mortgage statements 3 years after IRS due date for return
Federal tax returns 3 years after filing return or
2 years after paying tax, whichever is later
Insurance and Warranties
Home Inventory Keep current
Homeowners insurance policy Until the replacement is received
Service contracts and warranties Until warranty/service contract expiration
Home repair receipts Until warranty/service contract expiration

Going digital with your records can make them easy to keep as well as to find when you need them. Create a folder on your computer that automatically backs up to the cloud like Dropbox, Google Docs or OneDrive so that if something happens to your computer, you have them safely tucked away.

The main folder could be the address of your home with subfolders for purchase documents, capital improvements, warranties, etc.

When you receive statements that are already in digital format, simply move them to the correct folder and subfolder. If it is a paper format, scan it and save it in the proper folder so you will have it when you need it.

LIST OF BLOGS

Courts of Fox Mill Homeowners Association

Historical Overview Origins and Development: The Fox Mill area, including the Courts of Fox Mill, began as a rural farmland before the mid-20th century. The transformation into a residential area was part of the post-World War II suburban boom. The specific...

Courts Cluster

Historical Context Fairfax County, named after Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, has a rich history that dates back to its establishment in 1742. The Courts Cluster, located centrally within the county, is named for its proximity to the Fairfax County...

Courts at Riverwind

History of The Courts at Riverwind The Courts at Riverwind is a residential community managed by Flannery Property Management, located in Centreville, Fairfax County, Virginia. While specific historical details about its establishment are not directly available from...

Courtland Park

Historical Background Early Settlement and Development: Fairfax County itself was established in 1742, but the specific area of Courtland Park developed much later. Originally, the land that Courtland Park occupies was part of the vast tracts owned by colonial...

Courtland at Rolling Oaks Homeowners Association

History of Courtland at Rolling Oaks HOA Fairfax County has a storied history dating back to its establishment in 1742, named after Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron. The creation of communities like Courtland at Rolling Oaks is a more modern development,...

Courthouse Woods HOA

Historical Background The inception of Courthouse Woods HOA can be traced back to the broader development patterns in Fairfax County during the late 20th century, a period marked by suburban expansion around the nation's capital. Fairfax County has a rich history,...

Courthouse Station Homeowners Association

History of Courthouse Station HOA Fairfax County, established in 1742, has a rich history of community development, with neighborhoods like Courthouse Station emerging as part of its suburban growth. Courthouse Station likely developed during a period when Fairfax...

Courthouse Oaks Homeowners Association

History of Courthouse Oaks HOA: Courthouse Oaks HOA is nestled within Fairfax County, Virginia, an area with a rich history that dates back to its establishment in 1742. The community of Courthouse Oaks, however, represents a more recent chapter in Fairfax County's...

Courthouse Commons HOA

Historical Context Fairfax County, named after Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, has a rich historical tapestry beginning from its establishment in 1742. The area where Courthouse Commons now stands would have seen significant historical events, including...

Court of Chandon HOA

Historical Context Formation and Evolution: The Court of Chandon was established during a period when Fairfax County was rapidly expanding due to suburban sprawl influenced by the proximity to Washington D.C. The HOA likely came into existence in the late 20th...

RECENT POSTS

Courts Cluster

Historical Context Fairfax County, named after Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, has a...

Courts at Riverwind

History of The Courts at Riverwind The Courts at Riverwind is a residential community managed by...

Courtland Park

Historical Background Early Settlement and Development: Fairfax County itself was established in...

Courthouse Woods HOA

Historical Background The inception of Courthouse Woods HOA can be traced back to the broader...

Courthouse Commons HOA

Historical Context Fairfax County, named after Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron, has a...

Court of Chandon HOA

Historical Context Formation and Evolution: The Court of Chandon was established during a period...

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