A GON Reader Asks:

Dear Maria,

There is the ubiquitous advice that you needn't save financial documents for more than seven years. Nonsense. A friend of mine was asked to provide the IRS with material from her deceased parents from 11 years before she was born.

And there is tons of advice about what storage containers to buy and not to buy, but deciding where, i.e. in which categories, to file all sorts of documents is a problem for me and many of my friends.

Your thoughts?

This fabulous GON reader 'Ask Maria' question was submitted by:

Judith Ronat

* * * * *

Maria Gracia responds:

Hi Judith,

Thanks for your questions. Let's start with old tax/financial documents...

Anytime the initials 'IRS' come up, it scares many people into thinking they have to keep their tax/financial records forever...and this ends up in 20 or more years of boxes lining one's basement shelves (a fire hazard and usually very unnecessary.)

Even if you look on the IRS web site, you will discover that they say, in most cases, that keeping your financial/tax records for 3-7 years is sufficient. They say they only require more in special cases, like if you don't file a return, if you've filed a fraudulent return, or if you've been audited before. I'm not sure why they required so many years back in your friend's case with her parents, but that is highly unusual.

Keeping old tax/financial records for seven years before you shred and recycle them is more than sufficient for most families. Check with your accountant if you have any special circumstances that would require you to keep them longer.

If you're getting close to applying for Medicaid for yourself or for aging parents, you will be required to have paperwork for the last 5 years. Just an FYI.

And if, for some reason, you need old tax returns, and don't have them, it's not the end of the world. You can request them from the IRS for a fee, as long as you previously filed said tax return.

About storing documents...

This is a big question for me to answer in a short newsletter.

However, you're in luck because I'm just about to release a new product called My Oh-So-Organized Filing System...Deluxe. This is a paper-management/filing product that I created in the past, and completely revamped. I've come up with ALL of the filing categories for you (with descriptions for each) so you can easily put together a paper filing system that will allow you to find what you need quickly and easily. It's going to include many bonuses in it as well, including one on records retention (how long you need to keep certain documents).

That product is set to be released in February. It's in the editing stage. Stay tuned...it will be announced in a newsletter very shortly.

Maria

Just a very quick shout out to let you know that my latest issue of Anything and Everything is now available. It's the FEBRUARY 2019 issue and I know you're going to love it. Check it out:

https://www.getorganizednow.com/rd-ae.html

If you don't already receive it, it's a great time to get your hands on a full year of Anything and Everything because, when you do, we're giving away 10 Bonuses, AND All of the back issues...complimentary!

Here are the topics in the FEBRUARY Issue...

12 Ways to Declutter and Organize Your Finances
February is a great time to get your finances and financial paperwork in order

Do This Before You Declutter and Organize
Before you go rushing out to buy organizing containers, here are some vital steps to take prior to your decluttering projects

When it's Stealing Your Joy, It's Time to Say Goodbye
Letting go, although sometimes challenging, has the power to bring more clarity and joy to your life. This is true of material things and our mindsets as well

24 Ways to Stop Spending So Much on Groceries
If you feel like your grocery bill has gotten out of control, here are 24 easy ways for you to spend a whole lot less

Recipes
Start your Valentine's Day off with Valentine's Day Love Toast.and end it on a sweet note with Conversation Heart Chocolate Pretzels

A More Colorful World for All
There are a percentage of people in the world who can't see all the colors of the rainbow. Learn more about color vision deficiency and what's being done to help

Valentine's Day from the Heart.Not Your Wallet
You can certainly show your love and appreciation without going broke. Here are a dozen ways to do so

From the President.
Words of wisdom from famous U.S. presidents

If you don't already subscribe to my 'Anything and Everything' resource, you can learn about how to do so here:

https://www.getorganizednow.com/rd-ae.html

We have thousands of readers who LOVE it...and I'm certain you will too!

Maria

P.S. BONUSES...Only Until 11:59 p.m. on February 8: When you sign up for your Anything and Everything Subscription, you will receive tons of bonuses, plus ALL the BACK ISSUES COMPLIMENTARY!

GON Cleaning Secrets: Tidy your home when you have zero time. Find out how...
getorganizednow.com/cleaning-secret-tidy-time.html



GON Feature Article: Always forgetting? Here are 10 ideas to help you remember...
getorganizednow.com/organizing-article-10-remember.html



In ADDITION, on my home page, you'll also find lots of NEW and featured STUFF including...

Swedish Death Cleaning Comic: Yes, Swedish Death Cleaning is a thing... hope you enjoy this comic

Where do people check social media: Check out my home page and you'll learn the four very common places. Look for the white box with the green outline

GON February Checklist: Get more done...have more fun. Our NEW February Organizing Checklist is ready and willing to help

GON Weekly Mini Challenges: For each week of February, our challenges will be focused on Eliminating Digital Clutter. Do your mini challenge for week 2 this week

Featured Web Poll: Our question is, 'How elaborate are your Valentine's Day celebrations on a scale of 1 to 5?' Cast your vote and let us know




Access all of the above on my home page. Visit:
getorganizednow.com

'Paperwork wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for all the paper. And the work.'
--Darynda Jones, Fifth Grave Past the Light




I'd love to hear from you.
Comments, suggestions, or just to say hello. Just REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...Being organized creates a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

getorganizednow.com

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-- Maria Gracia