Receipts and Taxes: What to Keep

Tax rules vary by country, region, and personal situation, so this is general background information rather than tax advice — for anything specific to your situation, talk to a qualified tax professional or check your local tax authority's guidance.

Receipts that commonly matter at tax time

• Business expenses — supplies, equipment, travel, and other costs of running a business.
• Charitable donations, where receipts often need to show the amount and recipient.
• Large or deductible purchases relevant to your situation, such as certain home improvements or medical expenses in some jurisdictions.
• Self-employment or freelance income and related costs.

General retention guidance

Many tax authorities recommend keeping supporting records for several years after filing, since returns can sometimes be reviewed well after the fact. Specific retention periods differ by country and by the type of record, so check your local tax authority's current guidance rather than relying on a single rule of thumb.

Good habits

1. Keep tax-relevant receipts separate from everyday receipts as you go, rather than sorting a year's worth at once.
2. Store digital copies as a backup to fading paper receipts.
3. Note the business purpose on receipts where it isn't obvious.

This guide is general educational information, not tax advice. This site's receipt generator is for practice, demos, and educational purposes only, and generated receipts must never be used to falsify tax records — see our Disclaimer.