How long to keep the paper.
The old site published a record-retention guide. The periods below are the IRS general rules. Your situation can be longer. Ask before you shred.
| Keep | When this applies |
|---|---|
| 3 years | The usual period, measured from the date you filed the original return. |
| 6 years | You do not report income that you should have reported, and it is more than 25 percent of the gross income shown on the return. |
| 7 years | You file a claim for a loss from worthless securities or a bad-debt deduction. |
| Indefinitely | You do not file a return, or you file a fraudulent return. |
| 4 years | Employment tax records, after the date the tax becomes due or is paid, whichever is later. |
Read the full IRS page: How long to keep records (IRS).