Records retention after refinancing?

Let's start with her records for the house sold: If it was sold in 2006 or prior, those records can now be destroyed. If it was sold in 2007, keep them until 4-15-2011, assuming her tax return for 2007 was filed by 4-15-2008.

For your present house, you need to keep the settlement statements for the purchase and all refinances until four years after the house is sold since there are costs on those that add to your cost basis. Also keep all records for capital improvements. Any maintenance records (just fixing but not improving) can be destroyed when you feel appropriate though I would tend to keep them for five years or keep a list of what was done when.

You will also want to keep your title insurance policy you got soon after your purchase but many of the other records can go away.

You can only file taxes for 3 years back, you can only be audited starting 3 years back BUT if you are audited you can be audited for up to 10 years. But taxes isn't the only reason why you would want to keep the paperwork.

I would keep your wife's home paperwork for the 10year period from when she sold the house.

I would keep all of your paperwork until 10 years after you have sold the property.