How long do I have to keep tax return paperwork for?!

dllive

Hi all

Im self-employed with fairly basic accounts. (no company cars, employees etc).

Ive just been cleaning-out my filing drawer. I have accounts stuff (basic stuff: tax return and an envelope of receipts for each year) of previous years going back to 2010.

Do I need all this stuff!? I keep digital records, but do I need to keep all this physical paperwork? Perhaps I just need to keep paperwork going back 6 years?

Im just looking to make space in my office, but I would kick myself if next year I was to need an expense receipt for 2011. 

Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks

Jeremy535897

The law requires you to keep your paperwork for the tax year 2011/12 until 31 January 2018 (about 5 years and 10 months after the end of the tax year). However, tax authorities can (in rare circumstances) look into your affairs up to 20 years later, so a very cautious person might keep such records until 31 January 2033.