Vanguard Roth IRA contributions

[Bettis]

Back in 2011 I started a Roth IRA with American Funds (blech).  Once I saw the error in my ways(Aug or Sept 2014), I switched over to Vanguard.

My true contributions (rounded):
2011 - $5000
2012 - $5000
2013 - $5000
2014 - $5500
2015 - $5500
2016 - $3200
Total = $29,200

From what I understand, if I retire early, I can withdraw that money with no issues to help me with the 5 year ladder process.  However, when I log onto Vanguard, it shows my purchases as ~$34,100.  I believe this is because when I switched from AF to Vanguard, it just marked all my AF money as purchases, even the investment gains.  Is there a separate way to have proof of my true contributions because I don't want insufficient proof for the IRS?

[johnny847]

Yes, there is. The official way would be the Form 5498 that you should have gotten from both American Funds and Vanguard every year you made a contribution. I'm fairly  certain the IRS would still accept your statements from Vanguard and American Funds, but Form 5498 is preferable.

[Bettis]

Perfect, thank you!  I know I keep all my forms so assuming they sent it to me, it's in my files.  I don't expect to FIRE before my mid-late 50s based on my savings rate but in case I end up exceeding my goals, it's good to have official proof of everything just in case.