how long do i need to keep records for a business
How long to keep records. You must normally keep records for at least 6 years from the end of the last company financial year they relate to. You may need to keep records longer if: they show a transaction that covers more than one of the companyâs accounting periods.
Typically, the IRS can come after your business for failing to report income for up to 6 years after your filing if the amount is greater than 25% of your businessâs gross income. If you filed for a deduction for a bad debt or worthless security, the IRS suggests you keep your supporting tax records for 7 years. Under these circumstances, you may generally wish to retain your supportive records for at least 7 years.