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	Records Retention Guidelines
	By Ramona Creel

Feel free to use this tip sheet / checklist as you tackle your own ""do-it-yourself"" organizing projects. If you would like to REPRINT or DISTRIBUTE this information, please click here for reprinting instructions.

BUSINESS RECORDS (KEEP FOREVER)

• income tax returns
• income tax payment checks
• investment trade confirmations
• important correspondence
• legal records
• retirement and pension records
• CPA audit reports
• annual financial statements and books of account
• corporate documents (incorporation, charter, by-laws, etc.)
• stock records
• retirement and pension records
• licenses, patents, and trademarks and registration packets
• investment trade confirmations
• documents substantiating fixed asset additions
• note: consult your accountant before getting rid of any financial paperwork
• note: consult your attorney before getting rid of any legal paperwork

BUSINESS RECORDS (KEEP SIX YEARS)

• bank reconciliation and cancelled checks
• canceled payroll and dividend checks
• personnel and payroll records
• purchase records
• sales records
• travel and entertainment records
• supporting documents for tax returns
• property records / improvement receipts (if tax-related)
• sales receipts (if tax-related)
• utility records (if tax-related)
• other bills (if tax-related)
• note: consult your accountant before getting rid of any financial paperwork
• note: consult your attorney before getting rid of any legal paperwork

BUSINESS RECORDS (KEEP THREE YEARS)

• monthly financial statements
• credit card statements (for internal use)
• employment applications (unless your profession requires longer)
• expired insurance policies
• note: consult your accountant before getting rid of any financial paperwork
• note: consult your attorney before getting rid of any legal paperwork

PERSONAL RECORDS (KEEP FOREVER)

• income tax returns
• income tax payment checks
• investment trade confirmations
• important correspondence
• legal records
• retirement and pension records
• CPA audit reports
• note: consult your accountant before getting rid of any financial paperwork
• note: please consult your attorney before getting rid of any legal paperwork

PERSONAL RECORDS (KEEP SIX YEARS)

• supporting documents for tax returns
• accident reports and claims
• medical bills (if tax-related)
• property records / improvement receipts (if tax-related)
• sales receipts (if tax-related)
• utility records (if tax-related)
• other bills (if tax-related)
• note: consult your accountant before getting rid of any financial paperwork
• note: consult your attorney before getting rid of any legal paperwork

PERSONAL RECORDS (KEEP THREE YEARS)

• credit card statements
• medical bills (in case of insurance disputes)
• utility records (for internal use)
• expired insurance policies
• note: consult your accountant before getting rid of any financial paperwork
• note: consult your attorney before getting rid of any legal paperwork

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

• car records (keep until the car is sold)
• credit card receipts (keep until verified on your statement)
• insurance policies (keep for the life of the policy)
• mortgages / deeds / leases (keep 6 years beyond the agreement)
• pay stubs (keep until reconciled with your W-2)
• property records / improvement receipts (keep until property sold)
• sales receipts (keep for life of the warranty)
• stock and bond records (keep for 6 years beyond selling)
• warranties and instructions (keep for the life of the product)
• other bills (keep until payment is verified on the next bill)
• note: consult your accountant before getting rid of any financial paperwork
• note: consult your attorney before getting rid of any legal paperwork

Copyright 2000-2009 Ramona Creel -- you are welcome to reprint any article, but you MUST include this resource box.

"Ramona Creel is a modern Renaissance woman and guru of simplicity -- traveling the country as a full-time RVer, sharing her story of radically downsizing, and inspiring others to regain control of their own lives. As a Professional Organizer and Accountability Coach, Ramona will help you create the time and space to focus on your true priorities -- clearing away the clutter other obstacles and standing in the way of that life you've always wanted to be living. As a Professional Photographer, Ramona captures powerful images of places and people as she travels. And as a travel writer, social commentator, and blogger, she shares her experiences and insights about the world as we know it. You can see all these sides of Ramona -- read her articles, browse through her photographs, and even hire her to help get your life in order -- at www.RamonaCreel.com. And be sure to follow her on Twitter and on Facebook."

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