I would be remiss in not reminding you what tax records you should keep  and how long you should keep them.  When organizing your files, please remember  these general rules concerning your records:

• Income Tax Returns and Related Items:

Keep all federal  and state income tax returns and supporting documents (i.e., those items  confirming your income and/or deductions) for a minimum of three years after  the return's filing date.  The more prudent route is to keep these returns  and documents for six years.  Why? The IRS can assess additional taxes within  three years of its filing date, but has up to six years in which to make a  tax assessment if the IRS determines that a substantial amount of income has  been omitted from the return.

• Mailing Receipts:

Keep with your file copy of each tax return  the U.S. Postal Service receipt -- i.e., the registered mail receipt --showing  the date the return was mailed.  If your return is filed electronically, keep  a copy of the electronic filing confirmation with a printed copy of the return. In  the event the return is misplaced or lost, this documentation will save you  from penalties.  (Top)

• Residential Property Records:

Keep settlement records from all of your home purchases and sales in a safe place.  This will help you determine basis for any future sale and gain determination. In  addition, keep records of the amounts that you spend for home improvements with this  file.  These records will provide documentation of your basis in the house if  and when it comes time to compute your taxable gain. (Top)

• Stock and Bond Records:

Keep records of your investment  (e.g., stock, mutual funds, and bonds) purchases.  Besides providing you with  a date for determining the type of gain -- long term versus short term -- these  records establish your basis in the investment and help to compute the gain/loss when you sell.  In addition, keep records that show a return of capital on your investments.  (Top)

• Depreciation Records:

For any rental real estate or depreciable  business property that you own, keep records of the property's cost, the purchase  date, the method used to calculate depreciation, and a schedule of all depreciation  claimed on the property in previous years.  Maintain these records until you sell or dispose of the property.  Once you sell the property, keep these records  with the tax return on which you report the sale.  (Top)

• Personal Records:

Keep a permanent file of personal records -- such  as divorce agreements, copies of estate and gift tax returns under which you  received property, etc. - - since they can provide a basis for determining your tax liability when you dispose of the property. (Top)

• Other Records:

There are other situations in which you will  benefit from keeping records.  For example, if you have made nondeductible contributions to an IRA or Roth IRA, maintaining records of these contributions will facilitate proving  your tax liability when funds are withdrawn from the IRA.  (Top)

In closing, the general rule is:  When in doubt about a document, call me before you throw it out.