Per the IRS: Period of Limitations that apply to income tax returns 1. Keep records for 3 years if situations (4), (5), and (6) below do not apply to you. 2. 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, if you file a claim for credit or refund after you file your return. 3. Keep records for 7 years if you file a claim for a loss from worthless securities or bad debt deduction. 4. Keep records for 6 years if you do not report income that you should report, and it is more than 25% of the gross income shown on your return. 5. Keep records indefinitely if you do not file a return. 6. Keep records indefinitely if you file a fraudulent return. 7. Keep employment tax records for at least 4 years after the date that the tax becomes due or is paid, whichever is later. These rules officially apply to business, but they're a decent rule of thumb for personal (W2 employment) as well.