At least three years following the date you filed or the due date of your tax return.
Copies of tax returns, all attachments and W-2 forms are generally available for seven years from the IRS and can be obtained by filing Form 4506, Request for Copy or Transcript of Tax Form. You'll also have to fork over a nominal fee for each return requested. © 2013 CBS Interactive Inc.. I find that in the case of tax returns, many people are afraid to discard them or confused as to how long they should keep them. The result is that they keep them all. One client told me he kept every tax return he filed going back over 30 years! Keeping all of your financial papers that long is not a good strategy The IRS defines several periods of limitations that define how long you need to keep the tax return. If you did not report income your parent received that you should have, and it is more than 25 percent of the gross income shown on the return, the IRS can look back 6 years. Keep proof of income and expenses for the same time you keep the tax return. For income, this includes W-2s, 1099s, bank or brokerage statements and K-1s. The three year time period is tied to the IRS statute of limitations. Under the statute of limitations, if you do not file a claim for a refund that you are entitled to, you generally have the later of three years from the date you filed the original return or two years from the date you paid the tax, to file the claim. For instance, if you omit more than 25% of your gross income from your return, the IRS has six years instead of three to assess an additional tax. Also, if you file a fraudulent return or don’t file one at all (we don’t recommend either!), the statute of limitations never expires. I would advise you to keep records and tax returns for the years that include out-of-the-ordinary transactions (sales or donations of property), and income from activities such as stock option exercises, trust income, etc., for six years after the filing date of the return. I find that in the case of tax returns, many people are afraid to discard them or confused as to how long they should keep them. The result is that they keep them all. One client told me he kept every tax return he filed going back over 30 years! Keeping all of your financial papers that long is not a good strategy What to keep after filing your taxes and how long. Knowing what information to save and for how long can be confusing. As a general rule of thumb, keep tax returns and related documents for at least three years from the April 15 filing deadline. Still, you'd be surprised at how much you can safely discard. Here is what you should keep and how long you should keep it. Three Years. Keep your federal and state income tax returns and related receipts and statements for at least three years. If you may have under-reported income by 25 percent or more, then you'll need to keep tax returns and all related information for six years. In most cases, you should plan on keeping tax returns along with any supporting documents (e.g., W-2s, mileage logs if you itemize, etc.) for a period of at least three years following the date you filed or the due date of your tax return, whichever is later. For instance, if you omit more than 25% of your gross income from your return, the IRS has six years instead of three to assess an additional tax. Also, if you file a fraudulent return or don’t file one at all (we don’t recommend either!), the statute of limitations never expires. (Exception: an extended statute of limitations period may apply for California or federal tax returns that are related to or subject to a federal audit). Keep a copy of your return and the records that verify the income, deductions, adjustments, or credits reported on your return. Some records should be kept longer. For example, keep property records as long as they are needed to figure the basis of the property.  So, for example, keep a 2006 tax return that includes reporting of irregular items until April 2013. If the IRS hasn't raised any issues about your 2005 tax return by now, it is safe to shred it. Last, you should keep any tax return that includes a claim for deducting worthless securities for seven years. I find that in the case of tax returns, many people are afraid to discard them or confused as to how long they should keep them. The result is that they keep them all. One client told me he kept every tax return he filed going back over 30 years! Keeping all of your financial papers that long is not a good strategy
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-long-should-you-keep-tax-returns/ http://finance.zacks.com/long-save-deceased-parents-tax-returns-7994.html http://blogs.hrblock.com/2013/08/18/store-or-shred-how-long-you-should-hang-onto-tax-records/ http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-long-should-you-keep-tax-returns/ https://www.taxact.com/tax-information/articles/your-tax-documents-what-to-keep-and-shred.asp http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-long-to-keep-your-tax-returns/ http://blogs.hrblock.com/2013/08/18/store-or-shred-how-long-you-should-hang-onto-tax-records/ https://www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/faq/net/905.shtml http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-long-should-you-keep-tax-returns/
how long to keep tax returns