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Document Retention NJ | What to Keep & For How Long

Document Retention NJ — Keep It Safe, Not Stressful

Wondering how long to keep receipts, tax forms, or payroll records? Every small business needs a document retention NJ plan that balances compliance with clutter control.


The IRS Rule of Thumb

Keep business tax records for at least 3 years, but in some cases, up to 7 years or longer.


Quick Reference Chart

Document Type

Minimum Retention

Notes

Tax Returns & Support Docs

7 years

Keep all filed returns & backup records

Bank & Credit Statements

3–7 years

Reconcile monthly before archiving

Invoices & Receipts

7 years

Especially those tied to deductions

Payroll Records (W-2s, 941s)

7 years

Required for both IRS & NJ compliance

Corporate Documents (LLC/S-Corp)

Permanent

Articles, EIN, bylaws, ownership records

Fixed Asset Purchases

Life of asset + 7 years

For depreciation tracking

Loan Agreements

Life of loan + 7 years

Retain payoff confirmations

Digital vs. Paper

Scanned copies are fine — the IRS accepts legible electronic versions. Just ensure secure backups (Google Drive, Dropbox, or your CPA portal).


NJ business owner organizing financial records for retention

CPA Tip:

An organized document retention NJ system simplifies tax prep and speeds up audits.


Need Help Organizing Your Records?

Contact Gregory Monaco, CPA LLC in Livingston, NJ for help building a secure, compliant document retention plan. We’ll set up cloud storage folders, retention rules, and disposal checklists tailored to your business.


Gregory Monaco, CPA | Livingston NJ (serving NJ + virtual nationwide)



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