Audit‑Ready Records:

What to Keep & For How Long

Keep digital or paper copies of:

• Tax returns: forever

• Bank and credit‑card statements: 7 years

• Payroll records and 1099s: 4 years

• Receipts and invoices: 7 years
  Storage tips:

• Use a cloud folder structure that mirrors your chart of accounts.

• Encrypt sensitive docs like payroll reports.
  Clarity Wayfinder Takeaway: Set a yearly “Purge & Backup” date to delete expired files and double‑check cloud backups.