Are there any non-tax records I should keep?

There are other records you should keep, even though they don't appear to have any use for your tax returns. Here are a few examples:

• Insurance policies, to show whether you were to be reimbursed in case you suffer a casualty or theft loss, have medical expenses, or have certain business losses.
• Records of major purchases, in case you suffer a casualty or theft loss, contribute something of value to a charity or sell it.
• Family records, such as marriage licenses, birth certificates, adoption papers, divorce agreements, in case you need to prove change in filing status or dependency exemption claims.
• Certain records that give a history of your health and any medical procedures, in case you need to prove that a certain medical expense was necessary.
• These categories are the most universal and should cover most of your recordkeeping needs. Everyone's needs are unique, however, and there may be other records that are important to you. Skimming through our Tax Library Index might highlight other categories that apply to you.