Where do you keep papers you might need someday (or not)?

Never scan and discard your W-4 forms from your employers Ever.

I was very lucky several years ago. I had received a statement from the IRS estimating what I would receive at retirement based on my past earnings. The form listed all the years I had worked and the yearly income. I noticed that for 1983, the report stated 0 earnings. I had been working full time since 1970. I called the IRS and reported the error. They told me that the only way to prove that I worked that year was to provide them with my original W-4 form for that year. They told me that they would not accept copies of the W-4. It had to be the original.

Thankfully, I had kept my tax returns with the attached W-4 form even though it was over 30 years ago. I would have lost a whole years worth of earnings towards my retirement if I hadn't had these forms. The IRS couldn't believe I still had it. They told me that most people lose the earnings for the year because they threw away their old tax returns.

Whatever you do, keep your W-4 forms safe. My yearly statements from the IRS had always been correct but then one years earnings just disappeared.

SusanDallas wrote:
Never scan and discard your W-4 forms from your employers Ever.

I think you mean W-2, if you're talking about earnings. I don't think I have a single one.

SusanDallas wrote:
They told me that they would not accept copies of the W-4. It had to be the original..

That figures.

Yes, I did mean W-2. Please make sure you always keep them.