By Steven D. Mercatante Esq.

 
We often receive questions regarding record retention and the Form W-9. Mostly these questions focus on the length of time needed to retain payee Forms W-9 on file. In particular confusion arises because the IRS has different record retention rules for different forms. For instance, you often hear about needing to hold onto Form 1099 documentation for “three years; or four years if backup withholding occurred, or if filing Form 1099-C.”
 
Nevertheless, if you take this too much on face value, you may be making a mistake...