Can anyone tell me how long you need to keep any statements

[SpacePuppy]

Invoices receipt etc. I need to clear out the filing cabinet and want to know if I could safely throw away old statements?

7 years

Bloody hell, in that case I think I'm just going to leave the filing cabinet as it is.

So I've been googling and now I have three answers.

1. 6 years if you're self employed
2. 2 years if you're not
3. TheBlonde says 7

So which is it

So no one knows?

I only keep a year's worth, same with utility bills etc.

i don't keep any they're on line.

There's a whole load of stuff on the inland revenue site if you have a few spare hours www.hmrc.gov.uk/pdfs/sabk4.htm#a2

Generally, it seems like a couple of years unless you're self-employed, or if you have received a lump sum that might be subject to inheritance tax (eg if you were given a few thousand by a relative, they need to live for 7 more years before that gift to you is free of inheritance tax)

I thought that people had 6 years to chase unpaid debts eg credit cards, loans so it is worth keeping the paperwork for 6 years
(7 to be on the safe side)

Mortgage purposes you may need three years address history if you have moved house in that time. That can be utility bills or bank statements
Pay slips, the last year.
If self employed you just need 6 years of your accounts and associated paperwork kept on file, not all your household stuff.
Blonde, they can chase you after six years if they wish.

If your self employed you should keep the current year plus the last six years so 7 including the year you are in. The Inland Revenue can have an inquiry into you affairs for six years so that's why.

My personal info(i'm not se) i keep for 2 years(ish), but that's just my opinion on it. I have kept hold of all P60's though not sure why but ditched the payslips and all other bills/bank statements/receipts

Thanks, I think the safe thing would be to archive the lot in a box in the loft, and hopefully remember to take down should we move one day!