Bills, receipts, tax returns: how long to keep family documents

Almost every family has two opposite problems with documents: they keep too much — boxes of bills from fifteen years ago — and yet, when a dispute arises, can't find the one receipt that would help. The answer is knowing, roughly, how long each type of document is worth keeping, and keeping it where you can find it.

Note: the periods below are indicative only, based on Italian limitation periods and tax rules that change and have exceptions; other countries' rules differ. For your own case, rely on official sources, an accountant or a consumer organisation. When in doubt, keep it.

Documents to keep for ever

• birth and marriage certificates, separation and divorce rulings
• notarial deeds: property purchases, inheritances, gifts
• qualifications and pension records
• important medical documentation: hospital records, significant reports, vaccinations
• warranties and certificates for the home's systems, as long as you own the home

Tax documents

• tax returns and supporting documents (deducted expenses, receipts): in Italy generally at least five years after filing, since the tax authority can audit within that period; some situations allow longer
• vehicle tax: in Italy usually at least three years
• fines and tax demands: until the relevant limitation period ends

Bills and utilities

• electricity and gas: payment receipts, roughly for as long as the supplier can claim arrears
• water, phone, internet: the same logic
• utility contracts: while active, and for a while after closing

The home

• rent: receipts and the tenancy agreement, at least five years
• building management: minutes and expense receipts, several years
• mortgage: contract and redemption statement, for a long time
• renovations and building incentives: invoices and paperwork for the full length of the incentive and beyond

Purchases

• receipts and invoices for items under warranty: for the whole warranty period
• appliance manuals: as long as you own them

Filing them without filling the house

Keeping for a long time doesn't mean keeping everything on paper. Most documents on this list can be kept as digital copies — although for some deeds the original has a value a copy doesn't, and must be kept.

In KidBox documents they're organised in folders and categories — Tax, Home, Utilities, Health, Purchases — with search by name and tag. A file name that includes year and type — "2025 · Tax return · Mark" — makes searching instant. A receipt attached to a Home deadline stays linked to it: you'll find it from either side.

More in digitising your household documents.

One clear-out a year

Once a year, in January, review the archive: add the year just closed, delete documents past their retention period. An hour, instead of boxes that grow for ever.

In short

For ever: personal, notarial and important medical documents; at least five years for tax documents (in Italy); bills for as long as they can be disputed; receipts and manuals for as long as the warranty or item lasts. Indicative periods, to check for your case. And a digital archive organised by category, with a yearly clear-out.