Snap, scan, and export HMRC-aligned expense records in seconds. The simplest receipt tracker for self-employed professionals.
PocketReceipt is a record-keeping and export tool. It is not an HMRC service and does not submit returns to HMRC.
Purpose-built for HMRC Self Assessment. No accounting jargon, no bloat.
Point, snap, done. AI extracts store, total, date, VAT, and line items. 10 free scans per month.
Export CSV and PDF by tax quarter. Categories match the SA103 Self Assessment form.
Log business journeys at HMRC-approved rates. Track multiple vehicles, export separately.
Track regular bills — phone, rent, subscriptions. Set frequency, see total commitments.
Lock completed quarters to prevent edits. Aligned to the UK tax year (6 April – 5 April).
Premium: encrypted cloud backup of receipts and images. Restore to a new device instantly.
Point your camera at any receipt. AI reads it instantly.
Check the data, pick an HMRC category, save.
See spending by category, quarter, and tax year.
Generate HMRC-aligned CSV or PDF. Send to your accountant.
"I used to keep receipts in a carrier bag. Now I scan them on the spot and everything's categorised. My accountant actually thanked me."
"The mileage tracker alone saves me hours at tax time. I drive to clients all week — now I just log each trip and export the year."
"No bloat, no jargon. Scan the receipt, pick a category, done. Perfect for someone who hates paperwork."
Plain-English guides for sole traders and self-employed professionals.
HMRC requires business records for at least 6 years. What counts, how to store it, and what happens if you don't.
Read guideThe "wholly and exclusively" rule explained. Which expenses reduce your tax bill.
Read guideRegistration threshold, Flat Rate Scheme, valid VAT receipts, and Making Tax Digital.
Read guideApproved rates for cars, vans, motorcycles, and bicycles. How to keep a proper mileage log.
Read guideNo credit card required. 10 free scans every month, forever.
Getting started
For busy sole traders
Also available: £49.99/year (save 16%). Billed through App Store or Google Play.
PocketReceipt is a record-keeping tool. It does not submit tax returns or connect to HMRC systems.
Yes. 10 receipt scans per month, unlimited mileage tracking, full CSV/PDF export — all free, forever. Premium (£4.99/month) unlocks unlimited scans and cloud backup.
Yes. HMRC confirms digital copies are acceptable as business records, provided they're clear and show the date, supplier, amount, and VAT. That's exactly what PocketReceipt creates.
Take a photo, the image is sent securely to our server, AI extracts the details, you review and save. The image is processed in real-time by our AI provider and is not permanently stored on external servers. The original stays on your device.
Your data is stored locally on your device by default. Cloud backup (Premium) is linked to your authenticated account (Sign in with Apple on iOS, Google Sign-In on Android) and stored in Firebase — only you can access it. We don't sell data or share it with third parties. See our Privacy Policy.
Yes. Export receipts as CSV or PDF, filtered by date, category, or quarter. Mileage exports separately. Share via email, WhatsApp, or AirDrop.
No. PocketReceipt is not an HMRC service and has no connection to HMRC systems. It is a record-keeping and export tool. It produces reports (CSV/PDF) that you or your accountant use when preparing your Self Assessment tax return.
Yes. Cancel through your phone's subscription settings. Features stay active until the end of your billing period. Your data is never deleted when you cancel.
Yes. Settings → Delete Account & Data. We warn about HMRC's 6-year rule and offer export first. If you confirm, everything is permanently removed. See our Data Deletion page.
Partner with PocketReceipt. Your clients keep digital records year-round. You get a dashboard to see everything.
The accountant dashboard and bulk client features listed above are not yet available. This describes planned functionality. Register below to be notified at launch.
Be among the first practices to partner with us.
Last updated: March 2026 · 5 min read
The golden rule: HMRC requires all self-employed individuals to keep business records for at least 5 years after the 31 January Self Assessment deadline — roughly 6 years from the end of the tax year they relate to.
HMRC can open an enquiry at any point within the statutory window — you need evidence for every figure. No records means no defence. Under Taxes Management Act 1970 (Section 12B), the penalty for failure can be up to £3,000 per tax year.
Tax year 2024/25 → deadline 31 Jan 2026 → keep until 31 Jan 2031. VAT records: 6 years.
Important: If HMRC has opened an enquiry, do not destroy any records until it is formally closed.
HMRC accepts digital records. A clear phone photo showing date, supplier, amount, and VAT is valid. You don't need the paper original.
Sources: TMA 1970 s.12B · BIM42110-42165 · ITTOIA 2005 s.31
Last updated: March 2026 · 7 min read
The test: An expense is allowable if incurred "wholly and exclusively" for business. Dual-purpose items — only the business portion.
Stationery, printer ink, accessories, postage, tools under £1,000. Home office flat-rate: £10/month (25-50 hrs), £18 (51-100 hrs), £26 (101+ hrs).
Business mileage at HMRC rates, parking, train/bus, tolls. Not your daily commute.
Mileage rates: Cars/vans: 45p (first 10,000), then 25p. Motorcycles: 24p. Bicycles: 20p.
Only distinctly work clothing — branded uniforms, safety boots, PPE. Not everyday clothes.
Wages, employer NI, pensions, subcontractor payments (CIS).
Raw materials, goods for resale, packaging, building materials.
Accountant fees, business insurance, trade body memberships, bank charges.
Rent, rates, utilities, cleaning, property insurance.
Website hosting, domains, advertising, business cards, signage, trade shows.
Courses updating existing skills. Not courses for a completely different profession.
Sources: ITTOIA 2005 · BIM35000-47000 · EIM31240-31350 · HS222
Last updated: March 2026 · 6 min read
Must you register? Yes, if taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period (increased from £85,000 in April 2024).
Charge VAT on sales (output), reclaim on purchases (input), pay the difference quarterly. Standard: 20%. Reduced: 5%. Some items zero-rated or exempt.
Below threshold? Can still register. Good if customers are VAT-registered businesses. Less useful selling to consumers — prices effectively rise 20%.
Under £150k turnover. Pay fixed % of gross: IT consultancy 14.5%, hairdressing 13%, construction 9.5%, retail 7.5%.
Limited cost trader: Goods purchases under 2% of turnover or under £1,000/year → flat rate becomes 16.5%. Most service businesses fall here.
Must show: supplier name, address, VAT number; date; description; amounts excl/incl VAT; VAT rate. Under £250: simplified invoice is fine.
VAT returns must be submitted digitally via MTD software. PocketReceipt is a record-keeping tool — your categorised expenses feed into your MTD software.
Sources: VAT Act 1994 · VAT Notice 700 · VAT Notice 733 · Finance Act 2024
Last updated: March 2026 · 5 min read
Quick answer: 45p/mile for first 10,000 business miles, then 25p. Keep a mileage log.
Same rates for electric vehicles. Unchanged since 2012.
Not claimable: Daily commute to your fixed workplace. Home → permanent office = commuting.
Pick one method per vehicle — you must stick with it for the life of that vehicle in your business.
12,000 miles: 10,000 × 45p + 2,000 × 25p = £5,000 deduction. At 20% tax = £1,000 saved. At 40% = £2,000.
Sources: EIM31240-31350 · ITEPA 2003 s.229-236 · HMRC Advisory Fuel Rates