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Categorise transactions in QuickBooks Self-Employed

Learn how to categorise the transactions you download from your bank or enter into QuickBooks.

Each time you put a transaction into QuickBooks, you need to categorise it. This includes transactions you download from an online bank account or enter manually.

When you categorise, QuickBooks puts your transactions on the correct line of your Schedule C. This also organises your income and expenses so you know what areas of your self-employed business have the biggest impact.

Categorise a transaction

On a web browser

  1. Go to the Transactions menu.
  2. Find a transaction on the list.
  3. Select Business if the transaction was for business, or select Personal for personal. If the transaction was both, select Split.
  4. Review the category in the Category column. QuickBooks tries to categorise transactions for you.
  5. If you need to change the category, select the category link. Select a general type, and choose a more detailed category.

    See an example

    If you want to add a gas charge, select Vehicle and then Gas and fuel.

  6. When you're done, select Save.

On an iPhone or iPad (iOS) or an Android phone or tablet

  1. If you're on an iOS device, go to the Transactions menu. If you're on an Android device, select the menu ☰ icon and then Transactions.
  2. Find a transaction on the list.
  3. Swipe left to categorise it as Business or right for Personal. If the transaction is a mix of both, select the transaction and then select Split.
  4. As you swipe, review the category QuickBooks selected in the banner. If you need to change the category, select the category link. Then choose a new category.

Tip: You can create and manage category rules to quickly categorise common expenses and income.

Edit or recategorise a transaction

On a web browser

  1. Go to the Transactions menu.
  2. Find the transaction you want to edit.
  3. Select the ▼ icon to expand the transaction.
  4. Edit the transaction name, add notes, or attach a receipt.
  5. To change the category, select the link in the Type or Category column. Then select a new category.
  6. When you're done, select Save.

On an iPhone or iPad (iOS) or an Android phone or tablet

  1. If you're on an iOS device, go to the Transactions menu. If you're on an Android device, select the menu ☰ icon and then Transactions.
  2. Select the Reviewed tab.
  3. Select the transaction you want to edit.
  4. Select Edit.
  5. Change the details or category.
  6. When you're done, select Save.