Sole traders overpay at tax time for one simple reason: lost receipts. A faded docket in the glovebox, a blurry photo you can't read, a tool you bought months ago and forgot. Each one is a deduction you can't back up — so you don't claim it, and you pay more tax than you needed to.
What records the ATO expects
To claim a work-related expense you generally need a record showing the supplier, the amount, what it was for, and the date. A clear digital copy counts — you don't have to keep the paper. Records that support your claims should typically be kept for five years from lodgement. (Always confirm your specifics with a registered tax agent.)
Common sole-trader deductions
- Tools, equipment and supplies
- Vehicle and fuel for work travel
- Phone and internet (work-use portion)
- Software and subscriptions
- Protective gear and uniforms
- Home-office running costs
- Accounting and bank fees
The trick isn't knowing the list — it's capturing each expense the moment it happens, with proof attached, so it's there at tax time.
The simple system: snap, sort, done
SortedMate turns receipt tracking into a two-second habit:
- Snap a photo of any receipt. The AI reads the merchant, amount, GST and date automatically — no typing.
- Sort it as business, personal or mixed with one tap. The receipt image stays attached as proof.
- Done — at tax time, generate a clean, itemised report (PDF or spreadsheet) for your accountant, and import your bank statement so nothing slips through.
Invoices and receipts, together
The other half of your finances is what you earn. SortedMate also lets you create and send professional invoices, so your income and expenses are in one place — the full picture for tax time, not half of it.
Never lose a deduction again
Snap receipts, send invoices, and get a tax-ready report — all in one app. Free to start.