Guide

How long to keep receipts for taxes

It depends on where you file and on your situation. As general rules, the IRS says to keep records for 3 years in most cases and longer in some; HMRC asks the self-employed to keep records for at least 5 years after the 31 January submission deadline of the tax year; and the CRA asks businesses to keep records for six years from the end of the last tax year they relate to. Always check the official guidance for your own case.

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1. United States: generally 3 years

   The IRS's general rule is 3 years. It's longer in some cases: 6 years if you didn't report income you should have and it was more than 25% of the gross income on your return, 7 years for a claim for a loss from worthless securities or bad debt, and indefinitely if you don't file a return.

   Tip: Read the IRS page “How long should I keep records?” for your situation.

2. United States: employment tax records

   If you have employees, the IRS says to keep employment tax records for at least 4 years after the tax is due or paid, whichever is later.

   Tip: Keep payroll records apart from your receipts so they're easy to find.

3. United Kingdom, self-employed: at least 5 years after the deadline

   HMRC asks you to keep records for at least 5 years after the 31 January submission deadline of the relevant tax year.

   Tip: See “Business records if you're self-employed” on GOV.UK.

4. United Kingdom, limited companies: 6 years

   Companies must keep records for 6 years from the end of the last company financial year they relate to, and longer in some cases.

   Tip: See GOV.UK's guidance on company and accounting records.

5. Canada: six years

   The CRA says businesses generally keep records for six years from the end of the last tax year they relate to.

   Tip: Check the CRA's page on where to keep your records and for how long.

6. Other countries

   Each tax authority sets its own period, and it can differ for businesses, employees and individuals.

   Tip: Search your tax authority's website for how long to keep records.

7. Property and big purchases

   The IRS says to keep records about property until the period of limitations ends for the year you sell or dispose of it.

   Tip: Keep these records apart from your monthly receipts, so they're easy to find years later.

8. Other reasons to keep them

   Insurers, lenders and warranties can need receipts for longer than tax rules do.

   Tip: Check before you throw out receipts for big purchases.

9. Keep a copy you can read

   Thermal receipts fade, so an old original may be blank when you need it.

   Tip: Photograph or scan receipts when you get them. Check whether your tax authority accepts digital copies before you throw the paper away. How to keep receipts from fading

10. Keep them all in one place

    Slip turns each receipt photo into a row with the merchant, date, tax and total, and exports the month as CSV, Excel or PDF with the photos.

    Tip: Start with the free receipt plan to see your columns and month-end file. Get my receipt plan

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Updated October 12, 2026