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When does it fall off my report?
Negative items don't stay forever — federal law (FCRA §605) sets hard limits. Pick the item and its date to see the latest it can legally be reported. Nothing you enter leaves your browser.
Latest legal reporting date
This date has passed. If the item still shows on a current report, it's overdue for removal — that's a strong, factual dispute. Our free letter generator has an "item is too old" reason built in.
The rules behind the math
- Most negatives — late payments, charge-offs, collections, repossessions, foreclosures — are limited to 7 years; collections and charge-offs run from the date of first delinquency plus 180 days (FCRA §605(a) and §605(c), 15 U.S.C. §1681c).
- Chapter 7 bankruptcy: 10 years from filing. Chapter 13: removed 7 years from filing in bureau practice.
- Hard inquiries: reportable for 2 years; their score impact typically fades within one.
- Paying a collection does not restart the clock — the original delinquency date controls. Beware "re-aging," where a collector reports a newer date; that's disputable.
Dates are computed from what you enter and the statutory maximums; bureaus often remove items slightly earlier. General information, not legal advice.
Why wait years for the clock?
If an item is inaccurate or past its date, it can come off now. thecredit finds what's disputable on all three reports and handles the letters.
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