Frequently asked questions
General information about receipt keeping and how ReceiptLedger works. This is an organization tool — it is not tax advice.
How long should I keep business receipts?
The IRS generally says to keep records that support an item of income or deductions until the period of limitations for that return runs out — for most situations, that's 3 years from the date you filed the original return. Employment tax records generally have a longer window (at least 4 years). See IRS: How long should I keep records? for the official guidance. IRS: How long should I keep records?
What receipts should a small business keep?
Commonly kept records include receipts for purchases and expenses related to the business: supplies, office costs, vehicle and travel costs, meals, utilities, and professional services. Keeping them organized by category through the year is what makes them usable later. The IRS lists which documents support which expenses in Publication 583. Publication 583
Does ReceiptLedger replace my accountant?
No. ReceiptLedger keeps your receipts organized and produces clean CSV summaries you can hand to an accountant or bookkeeping tool. Decisions about what to claim on a tax return belong to you and a qualified professional.
Is ReceiptLedger really free?
Yes. No account, no subscription, no upload. The web app runs entirely in your browser and stores data in local storage.
What happens if I clear my browser data?
Your receipts are stored in your browser's local storage, so clearing site data (or using a private window) removes them. Export a CSV backup regularly — the export page makes that a two-click job.
Can I use it on my phone?
Yes — the layout adapts to small screens, and data stays in that browser's storage. For camera scanning and OCR, the ReceiptLedger iOS app is the better fit.
ReceiptLedger is a general organization tool, not tax advice. External links point to official IRS pages for reference only.