Expense Reports for Tax Season

Tax season doesn't have to be stressful. If you've been tracking expenses in Pocket Clear, you're already ahead. Here's how to generate reports your accountant will love.

Why Expense Tracking Matters for Taxes

Depending on your situation, tracked expenses can help with:

• Self-employment deductions: Business expenses reduce taxable income
• Medical expense deductions: Healthcare costs above threshold
• Home office deductions: If you work from home
• Charitable contributions: Donations to qualifying organizations
• General record-keeping: Good practice even without deductions

Creating a Tax-Ready Export

Step 1: Set Your Date Range

For tax purposes, you'll typically want January 1 to December 31 of the tax year.

Step 2: Choose CSV Format

CSV is better for tax purposes because:

• Your accountant can filter and sort
• Categories can be grouped easily
• Easy to highlight deductible expenses
• Can be annotated in spreadsheet software

Step 3: Export and Review

Open in Excel or Google Sheets. You can then:

• Filter by category (e.g., all Medical expenses)
• Sum totals for each tax-relevant category
• Add notes for your accountant
• Highlight items that need receipts

Categories That Often Matter for Taxes

Pro Tips for Tax Season

• Use notes: Add context like "client dinner with John" for business meals
• Be consistent: Same category names throughout the year
• Export quarterly: Don't wait until April—export each quarter
• Keep receipts: Export is summary; you still need receipt backup

Freelancers & Self-Employed

If you're self-employed, Pocket Clear's export is especially valuable:

• Track business vs. personal expenses with categories
• Export business expenses for Schedule C
• Notes field documents business purpose
• Date range export for any period