Question within a Question

[Jugglering1]

I have no idea where to post this Question, so I am putting it here, hoping that the intelligent ones will be able to point me in the right direction....

I was sorting out some paperwork (ok, I admit it, several years worth - look, I was bored !) and filing bills, bank statements, insurance documents etc when I started wondering why on earth was I keeping all this paperwork... I'd never needed it in the past and with on--line billing so prevalent today, did I really need *paper copies* of everything ? So, my Question is, how long do I need to keep stuff like gas and electrickery bills, bank statements, payslips etc

[bobtheturkey]

i dont know but the saint is giving the power a match, game on

[dot.hawkes]

i think 6 /7years if you are self employed but other than that keep them for the previous tax year then shred. unless you want to reclaim your last 6 years bank charges of course.

[funnygirl]

The minute you get rid of it, a reason will come up for keeping it.
I got rid of all my mine a coupla years back and then my eldest applied for uni and what did he need??? Yes all evidence of pay, bank statements etc.

[smrcubby]

Advise you to keep 7 years worth at least. Especially anything to do with tax or bank statements. I

[smrcubby]

Advise you to keep 7 years worth at least. Especially anything to do with tax or bank statements.

[figure]

I read somewhere that they must be kept for at least seven years; I keep them indefinitely. Pay statements for at least one year, and the rest I throw out every other moth. Hope this helps.

[figure]

Meant to say Income Tax I keep indefinitely. And *month*

[bobtheturkey]

saint leads could be big shock on the cards

[pussnboots]

Bank statements.....1 year
Insurance docs........1 year or until renewed.
Gas, Electric, Phone etc only need to keep the present one once you are happy with it.
Payslips.....1 year until you get your P60.

[Jugglering1]

thanks to all of you (well, almost everyone lol)... I'm not self employed, nor do I have children or a mortgage.... still trying to fathom out bobtheiamnotachicken's comments...

I understand about the shredding stuff but thanks for the reminder, dot, that's good advice. My employer is now offering me e-payslips, so I guess I don't need to keep paper copies of them for years.

[neo.]

Payslips I keep for 3 years.
bank statements the same.
leccy and tele bills probably 2

Not sure of legal requirement for payslips.

Business records I think is 7 years for tax/Vat.

[helliebobs]

neo would you come and sort my accounts out, how much would you charge for a foreigner job? :)

[neo.]

I thought you were English, Helena

[helliebobs]

Lol, I am neo, I am :)
You are my absolute favourite bean counter though :)