If you are talking about the paper statements that you receive from your bank or credit union or those that you print from an online account, six months to a year is usually sufficient. This is important just to make sure that you have some recent records, if needed. This is especially true if there are outstanding items such as uncashed checks. Returned checks or copies of check images that need to be kept for income tax documentation should be kept at least three years after the tax year in which they were written. Some advisers recommend six years in case you receive some late IRS inquiries.
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