How Do You Handle Missing Receipts?

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Don’t wait—get your books tax-ready with Giesler-Tran Bookkeeping!

How Do You Handle Missing Receipts?

Missing receipts are a common concern for business owners—especially during year-end catch-up or tax prep. At Giesler-Tran Bookkeeping, we know that life happens and paperwork can slip through the cracks. Here’s how we help you stay compliant and organized, even if you don’t have every single receipt.

Our Approach to Missing Receipts

• Don’t Panic: Missing a few receipts is normal. We’ll help you reconstruct records and keep your books as accurate as possible.
• Bank & Card Statements: We use your bank and credit card statements to verify business expenses and fill in the gaps.
• Expense Memos: For transactions without receipts, we recommend you add a note or memo explaining the business purpose, date, and amount. This is especially helpful if you’re ever audited.
• Digital Receipt Solutions: We can help you set up easy systems (like snapping photos or emailing receipts to QuickBooks Online) for future organization.

What If I Get Audited?

• We’ll ensure your books are as “audit-ready” as possible, with clear documentation and explanations for any missing items.
• The IRS generally accepts bank/credit card statements and detailed logs if a receipt is lost, especially for small or routine expenses.
• For larger purchases or travel/meal expenses, more documentation is best—but we’ll guide you through what’s required.

Best Practices Moving Forward

• Snap a photo of receipts as soon as you get them.
• Email digital receipts to your bookkeeping software or a dedicated folder.
• Keep a simple log of cash expenses and business mileage.

“Brian showed me how to keep track of expenses even when I lost a few receipts. Now I feel prepared and organized for tax time.”

Have missing receipts or questions about documentation? We’re here to help—no judgment, just solutions!