It’s that time of year again; tax season is just around the corner. As we get closer to that April 15th deadline, businesses and individuals are gathering paperwork. Unfortunately, tax season is a vulnerable time for identity theft, so it’s not just about preparing your taxes; it’s also about safely disposing of unneeded documents. Let us share with you what you can do for tax prep and document destruction.
The Risks Tax Season Poses
Tax season is the time of year when personal information is floating around. Countless digital and physical documents list social security numbers, home addresses, bank account numbers, routing numbers, and employment information, such as income statements, 1099s, W-2s, and more.
It comes as no surprise that during tax season, there is an increase in data breaches, identity theft, and financial fraud. Everything from intercepting mail to hacking tax preparer systems has been done before and will likely happen again. Identity thieves will use any array of tactics they can to get their hands on your personal information.
For example, a recent Yale Cybersecurity article warns that people should be on the lookout for unsolicited emails, phone calls, or text messages claiming to be from the IRS. Some common scams are circulating that aim to gather your information for fraudulent purposes, so we highly suggest taking the time to review them so you can keep an eye out in your own life.
Shredding During Tax Season: What to Keep & What to Shred
What can you do to help minimize the risk of your data being exposed? During and after tax season, you will have a lot of papers lying around. Some you will need to hang on to, and others can be disposed of; however, knowing what to keep and for how long can be confusing. Here is an easy breakdown of the essentials for tax prep and document destruction.
Keep for 1 Year:
- Pay stubs (until W-2 or tax return is reconciled)
- Bank states (if no disputes)
Keep for 7 Years:
- Tax returns and supporting documents
- W-2s, 1099s, and other employer-provided documentation
- Proof of deductions (receipts, canceled checks, etc.)
What to Shred After Filing:
- Draft copies of tax returns
- Unused worksheets, sticky notes, or other random papers with sensitive information
- Outdated financial documents no longer required for IRS support
- Old versions of tax forms or reports
- Anything with your name, SSN, address, or bank information that you no longer need to keep.
Curious what else you should be keeping and shredding? Check out our full list on what to declutter vs. protect!
Why Year-Round Shredding Is the Best Practice
While many people and businesses wait until April to clean out their files, data security is a year-round responsibility. That is why we recommend reoccurring shredding services for anyone who accumulates a lot of paper, including businesses of all types. The benefits of regular shredding include:
- Reduction in clutter and storage costs
- Protection of sensitive information throughout the year
- Support of compliance with data privacy laws (HIPAA, GLBA, FACTA, etc.)
- Prevention of last-minute rush and accidental disposal errors
This is especially relevant for businesses that work in high-risk data sectors, such as financial services, accounting, law, and healthcare, where data leaks could cause significant harm to clients and the business.
At CI Information Management, our reoccurring shredding services are simple. Whether you need your expired documents shredded weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, we’ve got you covered. We offer various-sized locked shredding collection containers that you can fill up as you go. On your scheduled service day, we collect and shred the contents at your facility while you watch. Following each visit, you will receive a signed Certificate of Destruction detailing the date, location, and summary of materials collected and destroyed.
CI Information Management’s Certified Shredding Services
When it comes to tax prep and document destruction, we don’t play around. As a NAID AAA Certified shredding company, we adhere to the highest ethical and security standards in the information destruction industry. You can rest assured that your document destruction will be performed securely with us every time, without fail.
In addition to reoccurring services, we offer a variety of shredding services to fit your needs, including:
- One-time purge shredding
- Local drop-off secure shredding
- Residential shredding services
- Media destruction
- Product destruction
- Community shredding events
So whether you are looking to shred every paper in 2026 or you just need a one-time clean out, we are here to help! Contact us today to get a free estimate!
