old tax returns -- how many should I keep?

[Bill McBlueState]

How many years' worth of old tax returns should I hold onto? Is it enough to keep the ones from the last three years?

Just finished my first "married filing jointly" returns. The Mrs. is happy she found herself a husband who almost likes this kind of thing. ;)

[pintobean]

1. Try this link

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p552.pdf

[MAlibdem]

2. 7

[Robbien]

3. The current one you are filing, plus three

But before throwing away the old ones, take out the W2's and keep them in your tax file. They could come in handy when it comes time for applying for social security (if it is still around).

[cally]

4. I know what the websites say,

but I think you need to save them much longer. If you have made any improvements to your home or own a small business, you need to keep them much longer than recommended. I have them all.