how many years must you keep your old tax returns
My rule: Keep records and tax returns for years that include atypical transactions (sales or donations of property) and irregular income (stock option exercises, trust income, etc.) for six years after the filing date of the return. Keep a 2005 tax return that includes reporting of irregular items until April 2012. So if the IRS hasn't raised any issues about your 2004 tax return by now, then it should be safe to shred and discard it. Seven Years. Keep any tax return and documentation that ...