For how long?

So today at work I have run out of things to do.  Whenever that is the case, I 'get' (read: am forced) to read tax updates -- changes in tax laws, regulations, and administrative procedures.  Believe me, it's nowhere near as exciting as it sounds.  Right now I'm reading about substantiation and reporting requirements for charitable deductions.

You: YAWN!

Me: I know...

Anyway, I came to this part that talks about how long to keep an appraisal in your records.  The tax regulation says this: "for as long as it may be relevant in the administration of the internal revenue laws."  (emphasis added)

I don't think anyone actually knows what that means.  In fact, I think that the people who write the tax laws and regulations actually get paid by the word, and that phrase gets them a whole lot more money than simply writing "forever" would.

No wonder people keep talking about overhauling the tax code.