Financial Record Keeping

If you are like most people, you have mounds of receipts and papers sitting on a desk or overflowing in a shoebox. Having an organized system for your financial records will save you and your family time and aggravation in the future.

If the shoebox organization system is not working for you, then the time has come to dump out the box full of papers and receipts and create an organized financial system. While this dreaded process might take several hours or days, once it's done, the sense of satisfaction you will feel will make it all worthwhile.

Where to Store Your Records

The papers in your shoebox will vary by importance, ability to replace, and need for accessibility, and, therefore, should be stored accordingly. The following list outlines some of your record storage options:

• A safe deposit box is the safest, most secure storage option. You can rent a small safe deposit box at most banks for approximately $10-$50 per year. Jewelry and other valuables can also be stored in your box. You should consider the laws of your state surrounding access to your safe deposit box after your death to help you determine what items to keep in your box. Some states allow your executor access to your box, while others seal it until the contents can be inventoried and reported to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). All states allow access by the remaining spouse if the box is owned jointly. In either case, it is always a good idea to keep copies of all of your important papers in your home files or with your executor so your family can carry out your last wishes. For more information about this, see the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation article, The Key to Your Safe Deposit Box.
• A fireproof safe gives you the convenience of having your important papers at home, while providing protection against fires and burglary. When purchasing a safe, be sure it will protect paper against the heat of a fire for four hours.
• A file cabinet is one of the most important components of your financial record keeping system. You don't need anything fancy, just something large enough to store all of your records. It is imperative that the file cabinet be kept in a convenient location to make it easy to maintain your system. Be sure to clearly label all of your files so that documents are easy to find.
• A box in the attic is great for records that you may want to hang on to, but do not need to be readily accessible.
• The circular file, more commonly know as the trash can, is where you dispose of all the files and papers you find you no longer need to keep.

What Records You Should Keep

Now that you know the types of storage available for your records, lets discuss what you need to keep and where you should keep it. The categories we will explore include personal papers, insurance policies, tax returns and receipts, paycheck stubs, bank records, monthly credit card statements, receipts, appliance instructions and warranties, retirement plans, investments, real estate documents, debts, money owed to you, and other important documents.

Personal Papers

Most personal papers are important to keep and inconvenient to replace, and should be kept in a safe deposit box or a fireproof safe. Examples of personal papers are:

• Current copy of your will. You may also want your lawyer to retain a copy, in case your loved ones are unable to gain access to your safe deposit box until the executor is identified. Be sure to destroy old copies of your will to ensure that the wrong version is not used to carry out your wishes.
• Trust documents
• Birth certificates for all family members
• Deeds to cemetery plots you own
• Marriage license
• Separation and divorce documents
• Military service records
• Citizenship documents
• Adoption papers
• Diplomas
• Licenses
• Permits
• Union cards
• Social Security cards
• Passport
• Power of attorney. Be sure to provide a copy of the document and access to the original to the named person, so your wishes will be carried out in the event you are incapacitated.
• Living will. Also keep a copy in your files or provide a copy to the person who will be responsible for carrying out your wishes.

Insurance Policies

Insurance policies are replaceable by the insurance company, but you should still keep your current version in a safe deposit box or fireproof safe. Keep a copy in your file cabinet in case you need to review the policy or file a claim, along with any correspondence you have had with the insurance company or claims you have filed. Examples of insurance policies include:

• Life, including any policies you have through your employer
• Mortgage life
• Credit life
• Health
• Disability
• Homeowners. Although you will receive a new version every year, it is important to keep old versions for the past three years in your file cabinet in case someone was injured on your property and you have to prove that you had insurance at the time. Along with your homeowner's insurance policy, you should also keep a list and pictures of your possessions to provide to the insurance company in the event of a fire. An effective way to create a household inventory is to use a video camera so you can make comments about each item, especially those of value. It's always a good idea to have you valuable items, such as antiques, jewelry or furs, appraised. Remember to record and photograph new items that you purchase.

Tax Returns and Receipts

While it is a good idea to keep all tax returns to maintain a record of your financial situation, you only need to keep returns and supporting documentation for the past three years to satisfy the IRS in the event of an audit. The statute of limitations for the IRS to investigate your return is three years, but if you underreported your income by more than 25 percent, the IRS has up to six years to audit you. Additionally, if the IRS suspects fraud, there is no time limit in which they can audit you. Keep tax returns and all supporting documentation from the past three years in your file cabinet. If you have underreported your income, or choose to keep all of your returns, store them in a box in the attic, otherwise, add them to the circular file.

Paycheck Stubs

It is always a good idea to keep your pay stubs to compare to your W-2 at the end of the year. Additionally, pay stubs provide a record of hours worked, overtime, and bonuses. After you have determined your salary on your W-2 to be correct, you can throw your pay stubs away and file your W-2 with your tax records. Don't forget, charitable contributions taken directly from your pay are not reported on your W-2; therefore, you must keep your pay stubs to file the deduction on your tax return. If you are self-employed, you should keep all of your pay stubs to ensure that your earnings are correctly reported on all of the W-2s you receive, and you may need them for documentation when you file your 1099.

Bank Records

The most common bank records include cancelled checks and monthly statements. You only need to keep cancelled checks as supporting documentation for tax returns for three years, but there are many other reasons why you might want to hang onto them as well as your statements:

• Helps you keep track of where your money is going. This is especially helpful if you are trying to create a budget. Cancelled checks provide a clear picture of where you are spending your money.
• Serves as proof of payment, i.e., in the case of an audit, for your insurance company when you file a claim, or for a debtor who claims you did not pay them.
• Provides a record of whom you've been doing business with.
• Serves as proof of payment for home improvements, which may help you minimize the taxes you may owe when you sell your house for a profit.

Cancelled checks for the past three years can be stored in your file cabinet. If you choose to keep them after that time, store them in a box in your attic; otherwise, add them to the circular file.

Other bank records include loans and certificates of deposit. Store the original documentation in your safe deposit box or fireproof safe. Keep the most current statements in your file cabinet and add the outdated ones to the circular file. When you make deposits or payments, keep the record until you receive your statement to ensure accuracy. Save any correspondence from the bank regarding fees or interest rate changes, in case you question your account in the future. Also, it is wise to keep a record of your PIN number in case you forget it. When the loan is paid off or the account is closed, you can throw the contents of the file away. For more information about how long to keep financial records, see the Bankrate.com article, What Financial Records to Keep .

Monthly Credit Card Statements

In order to ensure that you are not double charged for an item, you may want to retain your credit card statements for two years. If you purchase an expensive item, you may want to save that particular statement in case you need proof of purchase for an insurance claim. Otherwise, after two years, if you do not wish to retain the statements for your records, you can add them to the circular file, but be sure to destroy them to prevent theft of your credit card number.

Receipts

These days, you receive receipts for almost everything you purchase, but it is not necessary to keep all of them:

• If the receipt is for an item that is tax deductible, attach the check to it and file with your supporting tax information.
• If you make a purchase for a high-cost item, such as jewelry, furs or antiques, keep the receipt in your safe deposit box or fireproof safe in case you need to file a claim with the insurance company.
• If you give or receive a gift, keep the receipt until you have determined that the gift will not be returned. If you do take the gift back, keep the receipt until the credit appears on your credit card statement.

Appliance Instructions and Warranties

Mark the serial number and the date you purchased the item on the appropriate booklet and store in your file cabinet. Throw the warranty documents away upon expiration.

Medical and Drug Bills

You should retain all medical and drug bills if you are in a dispute with your insurance company until the disagreement is resolved. It is also wise to keep medical and drug bills in your file cabinet for a year, in the event of a medical emergency in which the expenses may exceed 7.5% of your income. In that case, you can take a deduction on your tax form. For more information about tax deductions, see IRS Publication 502 about medical and dental expenses.

Retirement Plans

For each of your retirement accounts, keep the account numbers, company names, and phone numbers in your safe deposit box or fireproof safe. In your file cabinet, keep all annual statements and plan documents. If you have taken a loan against any plan, keep a record of that in your file cabinet. Also, if you make a withdrawal from an account, keep the record until you receive your statement, then it can be thrown away.

Investments

Real Estate Documents

When you acquire real estate, you should keep all of the papers that you receive during closing. The following list provides some insight into the more important documents that should be kept in your safe deposit box or fireproof safe:

• Title to your home
• Deed of purchase
• Mortgage contract
• Sales contract
• If you inherit property, keep an assessment of the fair market value of the property. You will need this to determine a gain if the property is sold.
• If you rent the property to tenants, keep the original rental agreement in your safe deposit box and a copy in your file cabinet.

Other important documents, which you can keep in your file cabinet, include the current tax assessment on your property and your homeowner's association agreement.

Debts

It is wise to keep your mortgage contract in your safe deposit box or fireproof safe, but you may want to retain a copy in your file cabinet. With that, you should keep a record of any loans you may have, including student, car, and home equity loans. When the loan is paid off, you can throw the documentation away, retaining only the final statement that shows the loan paid in full. The titles to your cars should be kept in your safe deposit box or fireproof safe.

Money Owed to You

Other Important Documents

So, what does your organization system look like? With so many important papers to keep track of, you may want to get started right away with some of the tips and ideas in this article. Creating an effective system for organizing them will simplify your life. And, knowing the right place to store your documents is just as important. While the task may seem daunting, the benefits you reap will far outweigh the time spent doing it.

For an easy to read table about what records to keep and where to keep them, see the Extension.org article, Organize Your Important Papers. For more information on budgeting and help getting out of debt, search the CareOne Credit Knowledge Center Articles.

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