How far back do preparers have to keep client tax returns?

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
December 6, 2019
3 replies
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Best answer by PhoebeRoberts

You're not required by the IRS to keep a copy of the actual return at all. You have to maintain, for 3 years from date of filing, a record of taxpayer name, SSN, and type of form (1040 / 1120 / 1065 / etc) prepared.

You might find it prudent to keep more. But you don't *have* to.

PhoebeRoberts

Answer

Intuit Community Champion

You're not required by the IRS to keep a copy of the actual return at all. You have to maintain, for 3 years from date of filing, a record of taxpayer name, SSN, and type of form (1040 / 1120 / 1065 / etc) prepared.

You might find it prudent to keep more. But you don't *have* to.

S

simplicityAuthor

Level 4

Thank You

T

TaxMonkey

Level 7

I have never discarded one yet. Paper records are scanned and moved to storage.

T

taxes96786

Level 8

I put them on USB drives. I do compliance work so need them at least 10 years back. Like TaxMonkey I actually have them going back to 1994 including all PS program installs and updates back to 1996.

Accountant-Man

Level 13

I used to keep a paper copy, back to 1993. Then we scanned them all, and only keep PDF copies since 2004.

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