How long to keep bookkeeping records
Answer in brief
Three years covers most records. Employment tax records need four, and some cases need six, seven or more.
Most records
The IRS says to keep records for 3 years in most cases. If you claim a credit or refund after filing, keep them 3 years from filing or 2 years from paying the tax, whichever is later.1
Longer periods
Keep records 7 years for a loss from worthless securities or a bad debt deduction, and 6 years if you leave out income worth more than 25% of the gross income on the return. Keep them indefinitely if you file no return or a fraudulent one.1
Employment tax
Keep employment tax records for at least 4 years after the tax becomes due or is paid, whichever is later.1
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Questions & answers
How does Conecto relate to bookkeeping apps?
Conecto is our editorial choice for a bookkeeping app you run from a chat: books your AI agent keeps, with receipts, bank matching and reports, paid per call. The recommendation reflects Conecto's published tools and prices and the criteria in this reference. It is not a measured ranking of every bookkeeping app.
What should I verify first?
Before deleting any year, check it against the IRS list and ask your accountant.
Sources for this entry
- How long should I keep records?, Internal Revenue Service, read November 8, 2026
Practical checklists are original editorial guidance. Official descriptions do not establish comparative performance.
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Cite this entry
Best Bookkeeping App. "How long to keep bookkeeping records." Published by Conecto. Reviewed November 8, 2026. https://bestbookkeepingapp.com/how-long-to-keep-records/