What records should I keep along with my tax returns? How long should I keep them?

These are the records you should keep:

• You should keep duplicates of all tax papers filed somewhere safe. Keep them separated by year.
• You should keep personal records for 3 years after you filed your return, whether or not you filed for a credit or refund.
• If you file a claim for loss, or you had to set up some kind of debt management agreement, keep your returns for 7 years.
• If you do not file a return, made a mistake, or intentionally file a fraudulent return, keep your records on file for as long as possible.