What is an expense?
An expense is any cost of running the business — materials, software, fuel, insurance. Tracking expenses matters twice: it tells you your real profit, and legitimate business expenses reduce taxable income. The rule is simple: if you can't find the receipt, it didn't happen.
In practice
A photographer's $2,800 camera, $400 in props, and $60/month editing software are all business expenses — deductible against her photography income at tax time.
Know what jobs really cost
Track job costs against invoices and see true profit per project.
Create an invoice — freeFrequently asked questions
What counts as a business expense?
Costs that are ordinary and necessary for your work: tools, materials, software, mileage, professional insurance. Personal costs don't qualify, even if you 'need' them.
Do I need receipts for every expense?
Yes — digital photos count. No receipt, no deduction if questioned. A shoebox app habit beats a year-end panic.
Should I pass expenses through to clients?
Billable expenses (materials bought for their job) go on the invoice as line items or a reimbursement line. Your own overhead stays in your rates. State which is which upfront.