Military Emergency Record Keeping Software Questions
Is MERK Software Secure?
Yes! Once you purchase MERK Software you will be sent a download link in our “thank you” email. The link is secure and will expire after the maximum number of download attempts. The MERK Software database you create is stored on your computer. We have no access to your computer. When you install the software you will be asked to create a user name and password. Only you and those you give the user name and password to will be able to login to your database.
Does Family Management Software LLC have access to my debit or credit card information?
No, only place sensitive information such as your name, email, and shipping address is stored by us. This is for order history only. We do not share this information with any third party.
Payment-account information that would be transmitted during checkout occurs on our payment processor's secure checkout site (PayPal and Google Wallet). The security of those pages can be verified during checkout by looking for the page URL starting with https: (the s indicates SSL-encrypted security) and other security indicators built-into the browser's toolbars, such as a padlock icon or site-identification bar.
Before checkout all cart orders in progress do not involve the transmission of any personal/financial data which needs to be secured, making those pending orders effectively anonymous and untraceable. You get an additional layer of privacy when you use PayPal or Google Wallet to checkout. That’s because all your financial information, like your debit or credit card number, is securely stored and encrypted on their servers. Your financial information is not shared with us or the third party service that provides the download service.
How long should I keep my records?
You must keep your records as long as they may be needed for the administration of your own or your family's personal affairs plus any provision of the Internal Revenue Code. Generally, this means you must keep records that support items shown on your tax return until the period of limitations for that return runs out.
The period of limitations is the period of time in which you can amend your return to claim a credit or refund or the IRS can assess additional tax. You may consult the IRS for the period of limitations.
The following is a suggested records retention program:
| Record | Retention Period |
| Tax returns | Forever |
| Tax return documentation | 6 years |
| Contracts | Forever |
| Real estate records | Forever |
| Last pay stub of a job if you leave that job | Last pay stub of a job if you leave that job |
| Last pay stub of the year for your current job | Last pay stub of the year for your current job |
| Mortgage payment checks (statements) | Until mortgage is paid off |
| Student loan payments | Until loan is paid off |
| Car loan payment stubs | Until the loan is paid off |
| Cancelled checks | 7 years |
| Bank deposit slips | 7 years |
| Bank statements | 7 years |
| Home improvement records | Ownership period plus 7 years |
| Investment records | Ownership period plus 7 years |
When your records are no longer needed for tax purposes, do not discard them until you check to see if they should be kept longer for other purposes. Your insurance company or creditors may require you to keep certain records longer than the IRS does.