(no subject)

[graculus]

You know, when you open a box because you have no idea what's in it and one of the things contained is a letter inviting you to an interview for a job you didn't get in 1998 then you know it's time to have another clear out... ;)

So, wise people of my friends list: is there a consensus of opinion regarding how long I should keep bank statements for? Consider that I don't have to complete a tax assessment as my income tax gets extracted from my pay before it gets to me. Thoughts? Opinions?

E.T.A. My neighbour is still working on the shed. Which isn't even a proper shed but one of those half-shed sized tool locker things. I should say he's actually just trying to fix the roof panels on at the moment, so I think he's almost done. Not helped by their cats sitting on stuff, as is the feline way.

Comments

[obelix]

Oh No Fair!

I have to keep 7 years of records because of the fact I have a corporation *grumble grumble* If I was salaried I'd only have to keep 3 years back both for tax reasons and for when I want to get a loan or in case of identity theft.

It's just not fair! *pout*

[ixwin.livejournal.com]

Just passing through. I asked this same question a few months ago. These are the answers I got (http://ixwin.livejournal.com/154365.html). 3 years seems to be typical.

[rach74.livejournal.com]

I tend to keep stuff for a year then chuck it!

[cycnus39]

You're supposed to keep that stuff? Oops...

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

I believe the seven years tends to be the 'done thing' for these things irrelevant as to whether or not you have to complete a tax assessment, on the grounds that once a debt has expired after seven years, it can't be followed up.

It seems an awfully long time to me, but certainly this is what I was always told. I read it somewhere too, but that I confess was a few years ago now and I couldn't put my hand on the information - which is less than helpful really.

[sg1scribe.livejournal.com]

I don't get paper bank statments any more - I opted out. Should this worry me?

[lachli.livejournal.com]

I generally keep stuff for 6 months, can't see the logic in keeping them past that. Other than credit card statements if there's a big purchase on them. I remember looking through stuff and wondering if I really needed to know that I was £200 overdrawn 5 years ago, decided that I didn't. Now it all gets shredded when I'm done with it.