Negative items on your credit report don't last forever. Understanding exactly how long each type remains can help you plan your credit repair strategy and know when relief is coming.
Late Payments: 7 Years
Late payments remain on your report for 7 years from the date of delinquency. Even if you bring the account current, the late payment marks stay. However, their impact on your score decreases over time, especially after 2-3 years.
Collections: 7 Years
Collection accounts stay for 7 years from the date of the original delinquency (not when the account went to collections). Paying a collection doesn't restart this clock or remove the item, though newer FICO models ignore paid collections.
Charge-Offs: 7 Years
When a creditor gives up trying to collect a debt (usually after 180 days of non-payment), they "charge off" the account. This stays for 7 years from the date of first delinquency. Paying it off doesn't remove it, but may help with future credit applications.
Bankruptcies: 7-10 Years
• Chapter 7: Stays for 10 years from filing date
• Chapter 13: Stays for 7 years from filing date
Bankruptcy is the most damaging item, but many people can rebuild to 700+ scores within 3-4 years through strategic credit repair.
Foreclosures: 7 Years
Foreclosures remain for 7 years from the first missed payment that led to the foreclosure. The impact on your score is severe initially (100-160 points), but lessens after 3 years.
Hard Inquiries: 2 Years
Hard inquiries from credit applications stay for 2 years but only affect your score for 12 months. Multiple inquiries for the same type of loan (mortgage, auto) within 14-45 days count as one inquiry.
Tax Liens: 7 Years (If Paid), Indefinitely (If Unpaid)
Paid tax liens stay for 7 years from the payment date. Unpaid liens can remain indefinitely, though most credit bureaus stopped reporting them in 2018. Some may still appear through public records.
Judgments: 7 Years or Until Statute Expires
Civil judgments stay for 7 years from the filing date or until your state's statute of limitations expires, whichever is longer. Most credit bureaus stopped reporting these in 2018.
Important Notes
The 7-Year Clock Starts from Original Delinquency
This is crucial: The 7-year countdown begins from the date of the first missed payment that led to the delinquency, NOT from:
- When the account went to collections
- When you made a payment
- When the collector contacted you
- When you disputed the item
Paying Debt Doesn't Reset the Clock
Making a payment on an old debt does NOT restart the 7-year reporting period. The original delinquency date remains unchanged.
How to Accelerate Removal
While you can't legally remove accurate negative items before their expiration, you CAN:
- Dispute inaccuracies and violations to force early removal
- Negotiate pay-for-delete agreements with collectors
- Request goodwill deletions from original creditors
- Identify Metro-2® compliance violations with OriumAI
Monitor Your Reports
Set calendar reminders for when negative items should fall off your report. If they don't auto-delete after 7 years, dispute them immediately—they're violating FCRA Section 605.
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