Can QBO set default categories to populate so when uploaded receipts are reviewed, the category, tax, split payment etc are in place? Kind of like a recurring transaction

Hello there, Lisa. Yes, QuickBooks Online (QBO) can automate categorization for uploaded receipts, but it relies on Bank Rules rather than setting a default for all new uploads. By creating rules based on vendor or bank text, QBO can automatically assign categories, payees, tax codes, and classes.

Here's how:

1. Go to the Bank Transactions page.  

2. Select the Pending tab.  

3. Choose a transaction from the list.  

4. Click on the dropdown menu next to Post.  

5. QuickBooks Online (QBO) will automatically fill in the name and conditions based on the receipt.  

6. At the bottom of the page, enable the Auto-add option to automatically confirm transactions that this rule applies to.  

7. Verify the category and then click Save.

For more detailed information on how to use bank rules to automatically categorize transactions, refer to this article: Set up bank rules to categorize online banking transactions in QuickBooks Online.

We'll provide ongoing assistance if you have any further concerns.

Yah… this particular client doesn’t want to link their bank account to QBO  Maddening. 

Same problem here. I've been dealing with this for months. QBO's receipt matching is completely broken — it creates duplicates instead of matching to existing bank transactions, and the auto-categorization ignores the default expense categories I've set up for vendors.
I actually built a workaround that fixes this — it auto-categorizes receipts correctly and syncs back to QBO without duplicates. Happy to share the beta with you if you want to try it.
Then after they reply, DM them about SortQB. Want to post this now?