Guides / What to keep
Bank statements, pay stubs and bills
Most monthly paper can go once it's checked.
Monthly statements pile up fast, and most are available online anyway. The rule of thumb: check it, keep anything tax-related, shred the rest after a while.
Common guidelines
- Pay stubs: until you've checked them against your year-end W-2
- Bank and card statements: around a year, unless they support a tax deduction
- Utility bills: until the next bill shows your payment, unless you claim a home office
- Receipts for small purchases: until the return period ends or the statement matches
Keep longer
- Anything that supports a tax deduction or credit: with your tax records
- Statements for disputed charges: until the dispute is resolved
- Final statements and payoff letters for closed loans: keep for good as proof
General educational information, not legal or tax advice. Dime Keepers isn't paid by any storage, shredding, safe or cloud company.