Late payments are black marks that normally stay on a credit report for 7 years. That's true of most negative information like foreclosures, Chapter 13 bankruptcies, charge-offs and paid tax liens; a Chapter 7 bankruptcy stays around for 10 years and unpaid tax liens can linger indefinitely.ate payments are black marks that normally stay on a credit report for 7 years. That's true of most negative information like foreclosures, Chapter 13 bankruptcies, charge-offs and paid tax liens; a Chapter 7 bankruptcy stays around for 10 years and unpaid tax liens can linger indefinitely.