HELP -I'm getting clutter w/ old stuff!

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO KEEP IT?
Let's start by going through your old files and doing some purging. You could always work off of the philosophy that 'if you don't have a good reason for keeping it, get rid of it' -- but what counts as a good reason? A lot of folks are afraid to ever throw document away because they might need it again someday. I always suggest that my clients as themselves some basic questions about why they are keeping their paper:

- Is the information RELEVANT to my life, personal interests, or job?
- Has this information become outdated? Can I find a more CURRENT document?
- How easy would it be to REPLACE this if I needed the information later?
- What is the WORST THING that could happen if I got rid of it?
BUSINESS RECORDS RETENTION GUIDELINES
You must keep the following documents FOREVER (yes, forever!):
- income tax returns
- income tax payment checks
- annual financial statements and books of account
- corporate documents (incorporation, charter, constitution, by laws, minutes)
- stock records
- retirement and pension records
- licenses, patents, trademarks, and registration applications
- investment trade confirmations and statements that indicate buying and selling
- documents substantiating fixed asset additions
- important correspondence
- legal documents
- CPA audit reports
Hold onto this paperwork for SIX YEARS:
- bank reconciliations and voided checks
- canceled payroll and dividend checks
- personnel and payroll records
- purchase records
- sales records
- travel & entertainment records
- supporting documents for tax returns
- property records / builder contracts / improvement receipts (if tax related)
- sales receipts (if tax-related)
- utility records (if tax-related)
- other bills (if tax-related)
- vendor invoices
Keep these records for THREE YEARS:
- monthly financial statements (for internal purposes)
- credit card statements
- utility records (for internal use)
- employment applications
- expired insurance policies
PERSONAL RECORDS RETENTION GUIDELINES
You should keep the following documents INDEFINITELY (forever!):
- income tax returns
- income tax payment checks
- investment trade confirmations and statements that indicate buying and selling
- important correspondence
- legal documents
- retirement and pension records
- CPA audit reports
Hang onto these records for SIX YEARS:
- supporting documents for tax returns
- accident reports and claims
- medical bills (if tax-related)
- property records / builder contracts / improvement receipts (if tax-related)
- sales receipts (if tax-related)
- utility records (if tax-related)
- other bills (if tax-related)
- settled accident claims
Keep this paperwork for THREE YEARS:
- credit card statements
- medical bills (in case of insurance disputes)
- utility records (for internal use)
- expired insurance policies

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
You should retain these records according to the following guidelines:
- car records (keep until the car is sold)
- credit card receipts (keep until they have been verified on your credit card statement)
- insurance policies (keep for the for life of policy)
- mortgages / deeds/ leases (keep for 6 years beyond the life of agreement)
- pay stubs (keep until they have been reconciled with your w-2)
- property records / builder contracts / improvement receipts (keep until property sold)
- sales receipts (keep for the life of warranty or the life of the item on large purchases)
- stock and bond records (keep for 6 years beyond selling)
- warranties and instructions (keep for the life of product)
- other bills (until the payment is verified on the next bill)
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