Hoarding receipts? These are the ones you actually need to keep

July 19, 2026 — 5:00am

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There’s a good chance that somewhere in your house you have, like me, the document hole. Now I don’t mean a literal hole, but more of a metaphorical one. This could be a drawer, or a corner of a cupboard, or – if you’re really organised – a filing cabinet where all of your “important” documents get shoved on the off chance you might need them someday.

That receipt for a client lunch you forgot to claim on tax four years ago? It’s in the hole. The mechanic’s report and receipt from your most recent car service? In the hole. The letter from your bank telling you your interest rate has increased? Oh, you better believe it’s in the hole.

It’s a sin we’re pretty much universally guilty of; keeping an important-looking document just because you might need it one day, or it could be important for your tax return next year.

The final paper trail: How to make your executor’s job easier

Let me be clear, I’m not getting stuck into responsible record-keeping. Not keeping receipts is a real issue for many workers and business owners, with a study from 2024 showing lost or damaged........

© The Age