General Requirement for All Taxes

You should keep your tax records for at least three years from the due date of the return or the date the return was filed, whichever is later. If the Internal Revenue Service requires you to keep your federal records for a longer period, you should keep your state records for the same period of time.

Maintain any records and documents to verify information claimed on your return.

Code of Virginia § 58.1-102

Additional Guidelines for Withholding Tax Records

Your Withholding Tax records should include:

  • The amounts and dates of wage payments made to each employee;
  • The amounts and dates of all Virginia income tax withheld from each employee;
  • The name, address, social security number and period of employment for each employee;
  • An exemption certificate (Form VA-4 or Form VA-4P) for each employee;
  • Your account number and the amounts and dates of all tax payments made to the Department of Taxation; and
  • A list of employees claiming exemption from withholding, including social security numbers.

Keep all records for at least three years after the due date of the returns or the date the tax was paid, whichever is later.