Receipts to accountant, without the shoebox.
ClaimMate turns a pocketful of receipts into records your accountant can actually use. Photograph them as you go, answer the odd question, and hand over one tidy pack at year end.
How it works
Photograph the receipt where you are
In the van, at the merchants, on the job. ClaimMate reads the shop, date, total and each line item, and trims the photo for you.
Answer one question when it isn't obvious
Was the pack of gloves for work? Tap an answer. ClaimMate asks rather than guessing, so your records stand up later.
Hand it all over at year end
One download: your costs, your invoices, the receipt files, and a short list of anything worth a second look.
Who it's for
Electricians, plumbers, joiners, painters, groundworkers, cleaners, mobile hairdressers, drivers — anyone self-employed who buys materials, keeps the receipts in the van, and would rather not learn double-entry bookkeeping to keep an accountant happy.
- You get receipts on paper, by email and by text.
- You are not sure which costs count as business ones.
- Your accountant asks for “the receipts” every January.
- Full accounting software feels like overkill.
Why ClaimMate instead of QuickBooks or Xero?
QuickBooks and Xero are proper accounting systems, built for businesses with staff, payroll and a bookkeeper. If that's you, use them. If you're one person with a van and a glovebox full of receipts, most of it is weight you don't need.
| What you want to do | ClaimMate | Full accounting software |
|---|---|---|
| Getting a receipt logged | Photograph it on the spot. The shop, date, total and items are read for you. | Snap or upload, then match it to a bank transaction and pick a ledger account. |
| Knowing if you can claim it | A plain-English answer with the published UK guidance named. | Assumes you already know which category it belongs in. |
| Sending a quote or invoice | Fill in a few lines, tap once, the PDF goes by email or WhatsApp. | Full invoicing with templates, tax codes and settings to work through. |
| Setting it up | Sign in and photograph a receipt. No chart of accounts. | Opening balances, bank connections and categories before you start. |
| Year end | One download for your accountant: costs, income and the receipt files. | Powerful reports, if you've kept everything tidy all year. |
| Cost | A few pounds a month, cancel any time. | Typically £10–£30 a month per business. |
| Things it doesn't do | No bank feeds, no VAT returns, no payroll, no tax filing. | Does all of that — which is why it's heavier. |
ClaimMate doesn't replace your accountant, and it doesn't file your tax return. It does the bit in between: keeping the day-to-day paperwork straight so the year end is a short job instead of a long one.
Questions people ask
- Do I need to keep the paper receipts?
- HMRC accepts digital copies of receipts as long as they are readable and complete, so a clear photo is normally enough. Keep records for at least five years after the January self-assessment deadline for that tax year. If you are unsure about a particular record, check with your accountant.
- What does my accountant actually get?
- A spreadsheet of your costs with dates, suppliers, totals and categories; a second sheet of your invoices and what was paid, cancelled or still owed; the receipt image files themselves; and a note of anything ClaimMate could not read clearly. You can also send a secure read-only link instead of files, and revoke it whenever you like.
- Can ClaimMate tell me whether something is claimable?
- It gives a plain-English answer for common trade costs and names the published UK guidance it came from, so you can check the source yourself. It is here to help you keep good records — it is not tax advice, and your own circumstances can change the answer.
- What if the photo is blurry or the receipt is faded?
- ClaimMate says so instead of quietly filling in a guess. It flags the bit it cannot read, and you can retake the photo or type the missing detail in yourself.
- Will it spot the same receipt twice?
- Yes. If you add a receipt that looks like one already saved, it is flagged as a possible duplicate before it reaches your accountant pack.
- Do I need to be VAT registered?
- No. ClaimMate is built for sole traders and tradespeople below and above the threshold. It records what you spent and earned — it does not file VAT returns.
- Is my paperwork private?
- Your receipts and documents are stored in your own private account and only you can open them. You can export everything or delete it permanently at any time.
Start with the receipt in your pocket
Photograph one receipt and see the whole thing work in under a minute.
ClaimMate helps you keep good records. It is not an accountant and does not give tax advice.