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How long does negative information stay on your credit report?
When Good Credit Scores Go Bad
The two most important factors in establishing good credit are paying your bills on time and avoiding negative information in your credit history such as collection agencies and bankruptcy. With a good credit score, you have managed your credit lines very carefully, you are not in a lot of debt, and you only open new lines of credit when necessary.
Once negative information appears on your credit report, it's going to be there for awhile. So, try to maintain a healthy financial lifestyle, and keep bad news off of your credit report.
Most negative information remains on your credit report for 7 years. Inquiries remain in your credit report for 2 years, but can only hurt your credit scores for the first 12 months. After 12 months, inquiries don't impact your credit scores.
Though most negative information remains on your credit report for 7 years, various items have more detail worth considering.
Credit Accounts
- Negative information remains for on your credit report 7 years from the initial missed payment that led to the delinquency.
- Active positive information can remain on your credit report indefinitely. If a positive account is closed it will remain on your report for 10 years from the date of closure.
Collection Accounts
- A collection account remains on your credit report for 7 years from the date the account went into serious delinquent status, often the date of the first payment that is 180 days late.
Public Records
- Chapter 7, 11, and 12 bankruptcies remain on your credit report for 10 years from the date filed.
- Completed Chapter 13 bankruptcies remain on your credit report for 7 years from the date discharged, 10 years maximum.
- Tax liens remain on your credit report for 7 years from the date filed if paid and remain indefinitely if not paid.
- All judgments remain on your credit report for 7 years from the date filed.
Inquiries
- Inquiries remain on your credit report for 2 years.
New York State Residents
- Satisfied judgments remain on your credit report for 5 years from the date filed.
- Paid collections remain on your credit report for 5 years from the date of last activity.
California State Residents
- All tax liens (paid or unpaid) remain on your credit report 7 years from the date filed.
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