The Keeper app is a feature-rich environment designed to help you manage your business expenses and file your taxes! Below is a roadmap to help you navigate every tab and feature available in the app.  

You'll see the "Deductions" tab once you log in to the app. Much of your experience with Keeper will be focused on this page.

Year

With the touch of a button, you can jump back and forth between your deductions for this year and from the previous year.

Keep in mind that we only support tracking deductions for the current year and the previous year at this time. 

Navigation: Deductions tab 

 

Manually adding an expense

The "+" icon in the top right corner is where you can manually add a business expense. 

All you need is:

• The name of the purchase
• Amount spent 
• Category 
• Date 

You can also attach a photo of your receipt if you prefer.

Don't forget to hit 'Save' so the expense gets added to your deduction spreadsheet! 

Navigation: Deductions -> Plus sign

 

Deleting a manually-added expense

If you need to remove a manually added expense, navigate to the Deductions tab, locate the expense you want to delete, and then tap on 'Delete' at the bottom of the page.

Navigation: Deductions -> select manually added expense -> Delete

 

Three-dot Menu

The three-dot menu next to the "+" sign in the app offers four handy tools:

• Rules
• Financial accounts
• Tax estimate
• Export deductions

Let’s explore these features in more detail.

Navigation: Deductions -> three-dot menu

 

Creating rules for recurring expenses

The "Rules" feature helps you automatically categorize recurring expenses so you won’t need to update them manually. Whether it’s a monthly utility bill or a personal subscription like Netflix, creating a rule means these expenses will be consistently marked according to your preferences.

To manage your rules, open the three-dot menu in the Deductions tab and select "Rules." This brings up a window where you can create new rules or review and update any existing ones.

When creating a rule, all you need to enter are: 

• Merchant name 
• Deduction status
• Category

Here are some types of rules you can create for managing your expenses:

• Deduction: Set up rules for recurring deductions such as utilities, subscription services, and insurance. This way, you won't need to manually add them each month.
• Not Deductible: Create rules for personal transactions to ensure they aren't mistakenly categorized as deductions. This is ideal for expenses like grocery store purchases or non-work-related streaming services.
• Ask Me: For expenses that might qualify as deductions only in specific situations, create a rule and select 'Ask Me' for the status. This means these expenses won’t be automatically categorized. Instead, you can review them in the app and decide if they qualify as deductions. If you prefer to manually categorize certain expenses, you can set up rules for those and choose 'Ask Me' as well.

You can also choose to apply the rule to past purchases. By selecting this option, all expenses with the exact merchant name will be automatically updated according to the rule you’ve set.

Navigation: Deductions -> three-dot menu -> Rules

 

Linking your accounts

By selecting the "Financial accounts" option from the three-dot menu, you'll be directed to the "Connected financial accounts" section in the Settings tab. Here, you can link your bank accounts or cards, allowing us to scan and track your expenses while identifying potential deductions.

Navigation: Deductions -> three-dot menu -> Financial accounts

 

Estimating your tax bill or refund

Curious about how much you might owe in taxes or whether you’ll get a refund? The "Tax Estimate" feature in the app provides a quick calculation, giving you a rough idea of your potential tax bill or refund.

Keep in mind that while the estimate provides a helpful ballpark figure, it doesn’t take into account other sources of income, credits, or deductions that will be factored in during the actual filing process. Think of it as a useful guide, but not a final calculation. Your actual tax bill or refund may vary once you complete your filing with us and submit your return for review.

Navigation: Deductions -> three-dot menu -> Tax estimate

 

Understanding your tax profile

Your tax profile includes important details about your income, work, and some of the credits or deductions that can affect your taxes. This helps the app give you a better estimate of your potential tax bill or refund. It also uses this information to calculate your tax rate, which plays a role in figuring out your Estimated Tax Savings.

Additionally, you can update the percentage of your vehicle, home, and phone expenses that are used for business. You can also let us know if you travel for business or have meals with clients.

To access your Tax Profile, just select "Improve this estimate" under the Tax Estimate feature. Below, we’ll explain each section of your tax profile in more detail.

Navigation: Deductions -> three-dot menu -> Tax estimate -> Improve this estimate

Household Details and Income

In this section, you can update your:

• State of residence
• Tax filing status
• Dependents (if any)
• Expected annual W-2 employee income
• Expected annual freelancing/business income

Keep in mind that updating your household details and income information will also adjust your tax rate in the app, which can affect your Estimated Tax Savings. If you notice a change in your Estimated Tax Savings amount, it's likely due to the updates you've made in your tax profile. You can always check your current tax rate by selecting your Estimated Tax Savings amount in the Deductions tab.

Freelancing Details

Here, you can update the type of 1099 work or business you do. If you can’t find an exact match, just choose the option that best fits your situation.

As you continue to use the app, it will learn from your spending habits, helping to categorize your expenses and suggest possible deductions based on your work.

💡Tip: If your occupation or industry isn’t listed in the dropdown menu, you can select “Other.”

Next, you’ll see toggle switches and sliders for common deductions like business meals, travel expenses, home office, vehicle use, phone-related expenses, and public transportation costs. The information you provide here helps Keeper calculate your potential savings and determine which expenses you can deduct.

You can easily use the toggle switch to indicate if you have business meals with clients or colleagues, or if you travel for work.

Below, you can adjust the sliders to reflect the percentage of time you use your vehicle, phone, home, or public transportation for 1099 work or business purposes. For example, if you drive six hours per week and spend three of those hours on work-related tasks, set the slider to 50%. You can update these percentages at any time.

📝 If a deduction doesn’t apply to you, simply set the percentage to zero. For example, if you don’t have a dedicated home office for your business, set the home office slider to zero.

💡Tip: For a better understanding of which expenses qualify for these deductions, we recommend checking out our helpful articles on our website at https://www.keepertax.com/free-resources. You can also find these articles in the Tax University section under the Settings tab.

Taxes Paid, Credits, and Deductions

In the final section of your Tax Profile, you can enter details about the federal and state income taxes withheld from your W-2, or any quarterly tax payments you’ve made. You’ll also have the option to indicate if you qualify for any of the following credits or deductions: student tuition payments, mortgage interest, or traditional IRA contributions.

 

Exporting your deductions

One of the helpful features we offer is the ability to export your deductions. If you're on an active subscription plan (at least the monthly plan), you can easily download a copy of your deductions whenever you need it.

If you'd like a copy of your deductions to print or use elsewhere, simply export them as a spreadsheet. To do this, tap the three-dot menu and select "Export deductions." Just make sure to choose the correct year in the top-left corner of the Deductions tab before exporting.

Navigation: Deductions -> three-dot menu -> Export deductions

 

Estimated tax savings 

The amount you see is an estimate of the money you'll get back from the government at tax time, either as a tax refund or a bill reduction.

Keeper does the math so you don't have to. For those who want to know, the value is determined by multiplying your tax rate by the dollar value of your total tax deductions.

📝 The Estimated Tax Savings amount doesn’t reflect your total deductions. To see your total deduction amount, tap on the Estimated Tax Savings in the app. This will bring up a page displaying both your total deductions and your current tax rate.

Also, keep in mind that the tax rate used to calculate your estimated tax savings is based on the income and personal details in your tax profile. You can update your tax profile anytime under "Tax Estimate."

Navigation: Deductions -> Estimated Tax savings

 

View business expenses by category 

When you tap on your estimated tax savings amount, a pop-up window will appear with a breakdown of your total deductions X your tax rate and your total estimated tax savings.

This is where you'll also see a list of all your business expenses per category. And where you can view, manage, and edit them. 

By tapping on the chevron symbol in a specific category, you’ll see all the added deductions.

Reviewing these sections is a great way to stay organized and ensure all your deductions are tracked.

Navigation: Deductions -> Estimated tax savings

 

Search expenses by name

The magnifying glass icon 🔍 will let you search your transactions by name. (e.g. Amazon)

Navigation: Deductions -> Magnifying glass

 

Sorting Expenses

Below estimated tax savings, you can see a list of all your expenses that you can filter by:

• Status
• Category
• Account
• Amount
• Most recent or highest amount

Navigation: Deductions

 

Filtering expenses by transaction status

If you tap on Status, you’ll be able to filter your transactions by:

• Deductions
• Not deductible
• Ask Me

Navigation: Deductions -> Status

 

Ask Me expense category

Under Ask Me, you'll see a list of business expenses for you to go through if there are expenses that haven't been categorized. With a tap of a button, you can mark each expense as either a deduction or not.

Checking this area of the app frequently to correctly mark each expense is a great habit to develop.

More deductions equal more tax savings!

Navigation: Deductions -> Status -> Ask Me

 

 "Ask" Feature

Not sure whether an expense can be deducted? Don't worry; we got you covered!

You'll notice that your uncategorized or unreviewed expenses (transactions with a 💡 icon) have an "Ask" option under them. This feature allows you to instantly ask if that specific expense can be deducted. Simply tap on that button and it will take you to the "Ask" tab where our AI Assistant answers your question in seconds! Moreover, if the AI assistant determines that a human response is needed, it will alert one of our staff members to provide an answer instead.

Navigation: Deductions -> Select the uncategorized expense -> Ask

 

Editing an expense 

Tapping on any expense in the "Deductions" tab opens up a list of tools to help you micro-manage the transactions that are added to your list of deductions. 

You can tap on a specific purchase to:

• Create/View rule
• Add receipt photo
• Add a note
• Edit the amount spent
• Edit the category
• Mark the purchase as a deduction
• Remove it from your deductions

You'll also see other details such as the amount spent, your current tax rate, your tax savings for that specific expense, and the account it's coming from.
Navigation: Deductions -> Select an expense

Add a receipt photo

In the Deductions tab, you can easily attach a photo of your receipt by tapping on an expense and selecting "Add receipt photo."

Navigation: Deduction -> Select expense > Add receipt photo (optional)

Add a note

You can also add a note to your expenses. This is helpful if you'd like to add extra documentation for your transactions, especially business meals, such as who you're with or what the meeting was about.
Navigation: Deductions -> Select an expense > Note (optional)

 

Bulk edit 

The bulk edit feature allows you to make changes for multiple transactions at once. Simply press an expense and hold it for a few seconds until you see the multi-edit mode. You can then select the expenses you'd like to edit.

Navigation: Deductions tab -> Press and hold an expense

After selecting the expenses, tap on 'Edit.' This will pull up a screen where you can bulk change the expenses by the following:

• Split amounts
• Add a note
• Change expense categories
• Mark as tax deductions
• Mark as personal

Split amounts allows you to change the business-use percentage of the transactions you have selected.

Add a note lets you add the same note for all expenses selected.

Mark as tax deductions will add the expenses to your deductions, and

Mark as personal lets you mark the expenses as personal.

Navigation: Deductions -> Press and hold an expense -> Edit

By selecting change expense categories, you can edit the category of the expenses with just one tap. Here, you can see all the categories you can choose from. Kindly note that you can only select one category for all the expenses you have selected.

Navigation: Deductions tab -> Press and hold an expense -> Edit -> Change expense categories

The “File Taxes” tab is your personalized gateway to filing taxes with Keeper. You can get started with the touch of a button. The process is completely automated, easy to follow, and fast, so there's no need to be a tax expert.

The filing flow will walk you through the process of uploading your forms and documentation. After that, our team of tax assistants does the heavy lifting so you don't have to.

 

File Taxes Interface

When you first go into the file taxes interface, you can enter the filing flow to start your taxes, track your progress, pause, and go back later if necessary. As an annual subscriber, you can access our tax filing flow at no additional cost and enjoy the benefits:

• Easy form upload
• Max refund
• 100% accuracy
• Professional prep 

Rest assured, filing with us is quick and straightforward. Before your tax return is sent to the IRS, it will be professionally reviewed by a tax expert.

And don’t worry, your tax return won’t be submitted until you have reviewed and confirmed your intent to file. You can go back to edit your information or ask questions if needed!

Navigation: File Taxes -> Continue Filing

 

Estimate my refund

Wondering how much you might owe at tax time or if you'll receive a refund? Use our "Estimate My Refund" feature to quickly calculate your potential tax bill or refund in just seconds!

📝 Please note that while the calculator gives you a rough estimate, it does not consider other sources of income, credits, or deductions during the filing process. Therefore, it should be used as a helpful guide rather than an exact calculation. Your actual tax bill or refund may differ once your return is submitted for review.

Navigation: File Taxes -> Estimate my refund

 

Discover the benefits of filing with Keeper

Explore some of the benefits of filing with us!

1. Seamless form upload

With our drag-and-drop feature, filing your taxes is as simple as uploading your tax forms, and Keeper will handle the rest.

 

2. Reviewed and signed by a tax professional

Your return is meticulously reviewed by a tax professional, ensuring accuracy and giving you the confidence to file.

 

3. Tax experts on standby

Our tax experts are available around the clock to provide advice at no additional cost. Just visit the 'Ask' tab for any questions or assistance you may need.

 

Find answers to common tax filing questions

Scrolling down to the bottom of the File Taxes interface, you'll discover answers to frequently asked questions that our customers often encounter while filing their taxes.

Navigation: File Taxes -> Frequently asked questions

 

Share your feedback

You can provide feedback on Keeper at the bottom of the File Taxes page.

Navigation: File Taxes -> How are you liking Keeper?

 

Navigation

When you first start your tax return, we'll ask who you’re filing for: yourself, your spouse, or dependent(s). Following that, you'll begin the filing process, which involves three key stages:

• Share details
• Keeper review 
• Sign & file

We'll delve into each of these stages in greater detail later on.

 

To access the tax filing navigation, tap on the button with the three lines at the bottom left corner of your screen.

Navigation: File Taxes -> Three Lines in Left Corner

 

Under navigation, you'll see the following:

File taxes

Selecting this will guide you through the filing process. If you've already begun, it will take you directly to your current progress.

Navigation: File Taxes -> Three Lines in Left Corner -> File Taxes

Past returns

All tax returns filed through Keeper, including both current and previous years, will be available in this section. You can request to have a copy of any return emailed to you. Additionally, if you uploaded any tax forms during the filing process, you'll be able to download them under the 'Documents' section once your filing is complete.

Moreover, when you select a specific tax return to download, you'll also see a brief summary showing how your tax bill or refund was calculated. This summary will include key details such as:

• Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
• Standard or itemized deductions
• Total taxable income
• Any non-refundable credits
• Gross taxes owed
• Taxes withheld and refundable credits

If you need to quickly check information like your AGI, simply go to the Past Returns section after filing and select your tax return to view the details.

Navigation: File Taxes -> Three Lines in Left Corner -> Past Returns

File on your computer

Provides instructions on how to log in to your account on the Keeper website.

Navigation: File Taxes -> Three Lines in Left Corner -> File on your computer

Exit tax filing

Takes you back to the interface of the “File Taxes” screen.

Navigation: File Taxes -> Three Lines in Left Corner -> Exit tax filing

 

Tax Assistant Chat Box

You can also access our AI Assistant chat box if you have any questions while going through the filing flow. Simply tap on the chat box icon at the bottom of your screen.

Our AI assistant is powered by the collective intelligence of Keeper accountants and tens of thousands of previously filed tax returns, which can help you easily get through the filing process.

💡 Tip: For more personalized assistance, simply ask for help from a staff member, and they’ll be happy to assist you.

Navigation: File Taxes -> Chat box icon

 

Navigating the Tax Filing Process

Let's now explore the various sections of the filing process!

1. Share details

Drop off tax forms

At the beginning of the tax filing process, you can upload the necessary tax forms or documents for your return. You can do this by dragging and dropping your files, uploading a photo, or selecting documents from your device.

📝 After you’ve uploaded your tax forms, you can review them by returning to the 'Drop off tax forms' section of the File Taxes tab. This will show all the forms you've uploaded, and you can view the details by selecting each specific form.

Navigation: File Taxes -> Share details -> Drop off tax forms

 

Moreover, if you prefer to input your tax form details manually, you can easily do so by selecting Enter manually. This option directs you to a page where you can choose the specific tax form you wish to enter manually.

Navigation: File Taxes -> Share details -> Drop off tax forms -> Enter manually

 

Scan for deductions

Once you've uploaded all your tax forms, you can scan your bank accounts to identify potential deductions. After scanning, be sure to review your deductions to confirm that everything is accurate.

Navigation: File Taxes -> Share details -> Scan for deductions

 

Answer personalized questionnaire

Once you're done reviewing your deductions, you can start answering the questionnaire. You'll be prompted with a series of questions tailored to your tax situation. Please answer them as accurately as possible. If you have any queries or find any part unclear, feel free to let us know. We're here to assist you every step of the way!

Navigation: File Taxes -> Share details -> Answer personalized questionnaire -> Start questionnaire

 

Submit for review

The next stage of the filing process involves reviewing all the details you've entered. Once you've completed answering all the questions, you'll land on a summary page that neatly organizes the information you've provided. Each section in your tax filing summary is interactive, allowing you to easily make any adjustments if necessary.

During this stage, you also have the option to include any additional income, credits, or deductions by simply clicking on the sections marked with a + sign.

Navigation: File Taxes -> Share details -> Your tax information

If everything appears accurate, you can proceed to submit your return for review by selecting Continue to Keeper review. Our dedicated team of tax experts will then review your filing to ensure its accuracy.

 

2. Keeper review 

Once we have completed the review of your return, we will inform you if there are any issues that need your attention. If everything is in order, you will see your tax bill or refund details when you return to the filing process. Before you submit your tax filing to the IRS, you’ll have the opportunity to review your return and the final tax calculations, which will show your tax bill and/or refund amounts for both federal and state taxes.

Remember, we won't submit your return without your approval! 

 

Tax return summary

On this page, you'll see your finalized tax bill or refund amounts, as well as a summary of your tax filing information. 

Tax bill amounts are displayed in red, while refund amounts appear in green. You also have the option to edit your return by selecting 'Unlock to make edits.' 

📝 Please note that you will only see your finalized tax bill/refund details in the File Taxes section after submitting your return for review.

 

3. Sign & file

Once you’ve confirmed your tax bill or refund details and are ready to proceed with filing your return, simply click ‘Sign & File’ to move on to the next step.

 

Selecting your payment method

On the next page, you’ll choose your payment method. This will be utilized for either paying your taxes or depositing your refund if you're entitled to one.

You have the option to add a bank account or choose the 'pay later' option.

 

If you choose 'Add a bank account,' you can either select from the accounts already linked to the app or manually enter your bank account information.

 

Opting to 'pay later' allows you to set up a payment plan with the IRS, giving you more time to pay your taxes. However, if you're anticipating a refund from either the IRS or your state, selecting this option means they will mail you a check to the home address you provided on your return.

 

Sign your return 

After selecting your payment method, we'll ask if you'd like a copy of your return emailed to you. It's important to carefully review your tax return before signing.

On the following screen, you'll be able to sign your return.

 

Once you've signed, you'll see another overview of your finalized tax bill or refund with a breakdown of your tax information. 

At the bottom of this page, confirm your intent to file by clicking on the Send to IRS button.

📝 Important Note: Once you send your return to the IRS, you won't be able to make any further changes to your return.

 

Congratulations! Your return will be transmitted to the IRS.

Now, sit back and relax. You'll receive a confirmation once the IRS accepts your return.

If, for any reason, the IRS rejects your return, don't worry. We'll promptly notify you and provide details on why it was rejected and how to correct the error.

Want to know more? See our Filing with Keeper articles for more useful tips.

The Ask tab is where you can ask us questions you have about your business deductions, tax return, membership, how to use the app, or anything in between. And as your tax assistant, you'll get an answer from us directly.

Did we mention, that this feature is completely free? And you can message us anytime in-app!

 

 

Navigation: Ask -> Type message here

 

The Referrals tab is where you can access your unique referral link to share with friends. This tab provides details about Keeper's referral program and allows you to input your PayPal account for reward payments.

When you refer a friend, they will receive a 25% discount on Keeper's Filing + deductions or Premium subscriptions. If they subscribe to Keeper (Filing + deductions or Premium) and remain a user for at least 30 days, you will earn a $50 reward. You can earn up to $500 through Keeper's referral program by referring multiple friends.

 

 

You can also track the progress of your referrals. When your friend signs up for Keeper, a clock icon will appear next to their name in your referral bank. Once your friend has subscribed and used Keeper for 30 days, the clock will turn into a green check, showing that you are eligible for your $50 reward.

You will be paid $50 via the PayPal account you provided for reward payments. It's that easy! 

 

 

 

 

 

The 'Settings tab' serves as a central hub for managing key aspects of your Keeper account. From here, you can link and manage your financial accounts to ensure all your expenses are properly tracked. You can also customize your notification settings, review past returns, update your login credentials, and manage your subscription.

On top of that, the Settings tab gives you access to Tax University, where you’ll find great resources to help you learn more about taxes. Let’s take a closer look at each feature and see how they work.

 

Profile & Preferences

Connected financial accounts

Simply tap on "Connected financial accounts" in the Settings tab to link your bank accounts or cards. Once you link your account(s), our system will begin finding potential deductions.

Navigation: Settings -> Connected financial accounts

You can even control whether or not a specific account is used for work, personal, or both. You can remove an account from here, too.

Navigation: Settings -> Connected financial accounts -> Select an account -> Remove this account

We partner with Plaid to connect your accounts. By connecting through Plaid we do not have access to your personal information.

We're only able to see purchases from your linked accounts. And that's to find deductions that put more savings in your pocket.

 

Notification settings

Here, you can adjust your notification preferences to:

• App notifications
• SMS text messages
• Don't notify me

📝 Please note that the notifications displayed in the Settings tab are only examples, not your actual notifications. If you choose to receive app notifications, you'll get push alerts whenever the Keeper app provides updates about your potential deductions or tax filing status. If you prefer SMS notifications, these updates will be sent to you via text messages instead.

Navigation: Settings -> Notification settings

 

Past returns

All tax returns filed through Keeper, including both current and previous years, will be available in this section. You can request to have a copy of any return emailed to you. Additionally, if you uploaded any tax forms during the filing process, you'll be able to download them under the 'Documents' section once your filing is complete.

To access the 'Past Returns' section, you can either go through the 'Settings' tab or navigate to the 'File Taxes' tab by tapping the hamburger icon in the bottom left corner.

When you select a specific tax return to download, you'll also see a brief summary showing how your tax bill or refund was calculated. This summary will include key details such as:

• Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
• Standard or itemized deductions
• Total taxable income
• Any non-refundable credits
• Gross taxes owed
• Taxes withheld and refundable credits

If you need to quickly check information like your AGI, simply go to the Past Returns section after filing and select your tax return to view the details.

Navigation: Settings -> Past Returns

 

Account & Subscription

Login credentials

In this section, you can update your:

• First and last name
• Email address
• Phone number

Navigation: Settings -> Login credentials

 

Manage subscription

This is where you can view and manage your membership plan.

• Edit subscription 
• Edit payment method 
• Cancel subscription renewal

📝 When you cancel the renewal of your subscription, you are effectively unsubscribing / deactivating your account. You will not incur any charges moving forward unless you decide to resubscribe.

Navigation: Settings -> Manage subscription

Towards the bottom of the 'Manage subscription' page, you'll find an option to permanently delete your Keeper account. Please note that choosing this option will unlink all connected bank accounts and erase all data stored in your account, with the exception of your tax filing information. To comply with federal regulations, tax filing data must be retained for three years.

Navigation: Settings -> Manage subscription -> Delete account and all data

 

Tax University

Our Tax University can be accessed from here where you can learn about all things taxes without the jargon.

Here, you can explore a variety of essential topics, including:

• Understanding your 1099 tax bill
• Managing receipts for taxes
• Car expenses and mileage
• Home office deductions
• Business travel deductions
• Business meal deductions
• Education deductions
• Quarterly taxes
• LLCs
• Advertising deductions
• Clothing deductions

For added convenience, you can also access Tax University online at https://www.keepertax.com/free-resources. 

Navigation: Settings -> Tax University

 

Log out

To sign out of your Keeper account, scroll to the bottom of the Settings tab and select the "log out" button. This will safely log you out of your account.

Navigation: Settings > Log out

 

 

Now that you've set up your Keeper account, you might have questions about various tax topics, such as:

• Your 1099 tax bill
• Receipts for taxes
• Car expenses & mileage
• Home office deduction
• Business travel deduction
• Business meal deduction
• Education deduction
• Quarterly taxes
• LLCs
• Advertising deductions
• Clothing deductions

For clear, comprehensive answers and resources, check out Tax University! This free resource, available both within the Keeper app and online, offers valuable information on everything from business deductions to tax filing.

To access Tax University in the app, go to the Settings tab. You'll find Tax University listed as the last item.

You can also access Tax University online at https://www.keepertax.com/free-resources for your convenience. Explore our resources and get the answers you need to navigate your taxes confidently!

 

 

Within the desktop version, the Deductions section allows you to view and manage your expenses, although the functionality is limited compared to the Keeper app. It's nothing to worry about, our team is always working on updating and adding new features so you can have the best experience possible!

Let's take a look at each of the features currently available in the web dashboard below.

 

Year

When you click on the year, you can toggle between your deductions for this year and the previous year.

📝 Please keep in mind that we currently only support the current year and the previous year.

Navigation: Deductions -> Year

 

Search expenses by name

This section will let you search your transactions by merchant's name. (e.g. Netflix)

Navigation: Deductions -> Magnifying glass

 

Manually adding an expense

The "+" icon in the top right corner is where you can manually add a business expense.

Navigation: Deductions -> Add expense

All you need is:

• The name of the purchase
• Date
• Amount spent
• Category

Don't forget to hit Save so it gets added to your deductions.

Navigation: Deductions -> Add expense

 

Manually adding expenses in bulk

If you need to add a large number of expenses at once, you can upload them in a PDF, XLSX, or CSV file. To do this, go to the Deductions tab on your web dashboard, click on “Add Expense,” and then choose “Upload Expenses.” This feature is especially useful if you have a bank account or card that isn’t currently supported by the app. Just upload a spreadsheet or bank statement of the expenses from that account, and Keeper will automatically add them to the Deductions tab once the upload is complete.

Navigation: Deductions -> Add expense -> Upload expenses

After uploading, we recommend reviewing your expenses to ensure they’re correctly marked and categorized. To easily locate your manually added expenses, use the "Account" filter and select “Manually Added.”

 

Deleting a manually-added expense

If you need to remove a manually added expense, navigate to the Deductions tab, locate the expense you want to delete, and then tap on 'Delete' at the bottom of the page.

Navigation: Deductions -> select manually added expense -> Delete

 

Creating a rule

The 'Rules' button in the top right corner of the Deductions page is where you can manually create a rule for your recurring expenses. 

This will bring a pop-up window where you can create rules. If you already created a rule, you'll see that rule listed on this page.

When creating a rule, all you need to enter are: 

• Merchant name 
• Deduction status
• Category

Here are some types of rules you can create for managing your expenses:

• Deduction: Set up rules for recurring deductions such as utilities, subscription services, and insurance. This way, you won't need to manually add them each month.
• Not Deductible: Create rules for personal transactions to ensure they aren't mistakenly categorized as deductions. This is ideal for expenses like grocery store purchases or non-work-related streaming services.
• Ask Me: For expenses that might qualify as deductions only in specific situations, create a rule and select 'Ask Me' for the status. This means these expenses won’t be automatically categorized. Instead, you can review them in the app and decide if they qualify as deductions. If you prefer to manually categorize certain expenses, you can set up rules for those and choose 'Ask Me' as well.

You can also choose to apply the rule to past purchases. By selecting this option, all expenses with the specified merchant name will be automatically updated according to the rule you’ve set.

Navigation: Deductions -> Rules

 

Exporting your deductions

On the web dashboard, you can export a spreadsheet of your deductions by clicking the three-dot menu or 'More' button in the top-right corner. Be sure to select the correct year under the Deductions tab before exporting.

Navigation: Deductions -> three-dot menu -> click 'Export'

 

Linking another account

Additionally, you can link another bank account or card in the three-dot menu. Just click on "Link another account," and you'll be instantly directed to the Settings tab of your dashboard to complete the process.

Navigation: Deductions -> three-dot -> click 'Link another account'

 

Estimating your tax bill or refund

Curious about how much you might owe in taxes or whether you’ll get a refund? The "Tax Estimate" feature provides a quick calculation, giving you a rough idea of your potential tax bill or refund. You can access this by selecting the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the Deductions page.

Keep in mind that while the estimate provides a helpful ballpark figure, it doesn’t take into account other sources of income, credits, or deductions that will be factored in during the actual filing process. Think of it as a useful guide, but not a final calculation. Your actual tax bill or refund may vary once you complete your filing with us and submit your return for review.

Navigation: Deductions -> three-dot menu -> click 'Tax estimate'

 

Understanding your tax profile

Your tax profile includes important details about your income, work, and some of the credits or deductions that can affect your taxes. This helps the app give you a better estimate of your potential tax bill or refund. It also uses this information to calculate your tax rate, which plays a role in figuring out your Estimated Tax Savings.

Additionally, you can update the percentage of your vehicle, home, and phone expenses that are used for business. You can also let us know if you travel for business or have meals with clients.

To access your Tax Profile, just select "Improve this estimate" under the Tax Estimate feature. Below, we’ll explain each section of your tax profile in more detail.

Navigation: Deductions -> three-dot menu -> Tax Estimate -> select 'Improve this estimate'

Household Details and Income

In this section, you can update your:

• State of residence
• Tax filing status
• Dependents (if any)
• Expected annual W-2 employee income
• Expected annual freelancing/business income

Keep in mind that updating your household details and income information will also adjust your tax rate in the app, which can affect your Estimated Tax Savings. If you notice a change in your Estimated Tax Savings amount, it's likely due to the updates you've made in your tax profile. You can always check your current tax rate by selecting your Estimated Tax Savings amount in the Deductions tab.

Freelancing Details

Here, you can update the type of 1099 work or business you do. If you can’t find an exact match, just choose the option that best fits your situation.

As you continue to use Keeper, it will learn from your spending habits, helping to categorize your expenses and suggest possible deductions based on your work.

💡 Tip: If your occupation or industry isn’t listed in the dropdown menu, you can select “Other.”

Next, you’ll see toggle switches and sliders for common deductions like business meals, travel expenses, home office, vehicle use, phone-related expenses, and public transportation costs. The information you provide here helps Keeper calculate your potential savings and determine which expenses you can deduct.

You can easily use the toggle switch to indicate if you have business meals with clients or colleagues, or if you travel for work.

Below, you can adjust the sliders to reflect the percentage of time you use your vehicle, phone, home, or public transportation for 1099 work or business purposes. For example, if you drive six hours per week and spend three of those hours on work-related tasks, set the slider to 50%. You can update these percentages at any time.

📝 If a deduction doesn’t apply to you, simply set the percentage to zero. For example, if you don’t have a dedicated home office for your business, set the home office slider to zero.

💡Tip: For a better understanding of which expenses qualify for these deductions, we recommend checking out our helpful articles on our website at https://www.keepertax.com/free-resources. 

 

Taxes Paid, Credits, and Deductions

In the final section of your Tax Profile, you can enter details about the federal and state income taxes withheld from your W-2, or any quarterly tax payments you’ve made. You’ll also have the option to indicate if you qualify for any of the following credits or deductions: student tuition payments, mortgage interest, or traditional IRA contributions.

Estimated tax savings

The amount you see here is an estimate of the money you'll get back from the government at tax time, either as a tax refund or a bill reduction.

Keeper does the math so you don't have to. For those who want to know, the value is determined by multiplying your tax rate by the dollar value of your total tax deductions.

📝 The Estimated Tax Savings amount doesn’t show your total deductions. To view your total deductions, just click on the Estimated Tax Savings. This will open a page where you can see both your total deductions and your current tax rate.

Also, keep in mind that the tax rate used to calculate your estimated tax savings is based on the income and personal details in your tax profile. You can update your tax profile anytime in the Settings tab of the app.

Navigation: Deductions -> Estimated Tax Savings

 

Deductions overview by category

If you click on Estimated Tax Savings, a pop-up window will appear with a breakdown of your total deductions X your tax rate and your total estimated tax savings.

This is where you'll also see a list of all your deductions per category. And where you can view, manage, and edit them.

By tapping on the category, you’ll see all the added expenses for that category.

Reviewing these sections is a great way to stay organized and ensure all your expenses are tracked!

Navigation: Deductions -> Estimated Tax Savings

 

Sorting expenses

Below estimated tax savings, you can see a list of all your expenses that you can filter by:

• Date
• Merchant
• Account
• Status
• Category
• Amount

Navigation: Deductions

 

Filtering expenses by transaction status

If you tap on Status, you’ll be able to filter your transactions by:

• Suggested
• Deductions
• Not deductible

Navigation: Deductions -> Status

Under "Suggested," you'll find a list of expenses that need categorizing. You can mark each expense as either a "deduction" or "not deductible."

Checking this section frequently to correctly mark each expense is a great habit to develop.

More deductions equal more tax savings!

Navigation: Deductions -> Status -> Suggested

 

Editing an Expense

Selecting an expense in the "Deductions" tab opens up a list of tools to help you micro-manage the transactions that are added to your list of deductions.

You can click on a specific purchase to:

• Mark the purchase as a deduction or not deductible
• Edit the expense category
• Adjust the business-use percentage for that particular expense

You can also add a note to your expenses. This is helpful if you'd like to add extra documentation for your transactions, especially business meals, such as who you're with or what the meeting was about.

Navigation: Deductions -> Select the expense

Bulk edit

The bulk edit feature lets you update multiple transactions at once. First, filter for the specific expenses you want to edit. Then, select the checkbox in the header row to choose all filtered transactions. You can uncheck any individual transactions you don't want to edit.

 

You can edit the selected expenses by adjusting the following:

• Status: This option lets you mark all selected expenses as either "Deductions" or "Not Deductible."
• Category: This allows you to assign a category to all selected expenses. You can choose from the available categories, but please note that only one category can be applied to all selected transactions.
• Split Amounts: Use this feature to adjust the business-use percentage for the selected transactions.
• Note: Add the same note to all selected expenses.

 

If you prefer to manage your expenses on the app, feel free to check out this article about the app's Deductions tab!

Within the desktop version the Referrals section is where you can access your unique referral link to share with friends. This tab provides details about Keeper's referral program and allows you to input your PayPal account for reward payments.

When you refer a friend, they will receive a 25% discount on Keeper's Filing + deductions or Premium subscriptions. If they subscribe to Keeper (Filing + deductions or Premium) and remain a user for at least 30 days, you will earn a $50 reward. You can earn up to $500 through Keeper's referral program by referring multiple friends.

 

 

You can also track the progress of your referrals. When your friend signs up for Keeper, a clock icon will appear next to their name in your referral bank. Once your friend has subscribed and used Keeper for 30 days, the clock will turn into a green check, showing that you are eligible for your $50 reward.

You will be paid $50 via the PayPal account you provided for reward payments. It's that easy! 

 

The Tax Filing section of your dashboard is your personalized gateway to filing taxes with Keeper. You can get started with the touch of a button. The process is completely automated, easy to follow, and fast, so there's no need to be a tax expert.

The filing flow will walk you through the process of uploading your forms and documentation. After that, our team of tax assistants will do the heavy lifting so you don't have to. If you'd prefer to file on the app, feel free to check out our article about Filing in the App!

 

Tax Filing Interface

You'll see the tax filing interface once you log in to the website. Select 'File Taxes' to start. You can track your progress, pause at any time, and return later to complete it as needed. As an annual subscriber, you can access our tax filing flow at no additional cost and enjoy the benefits:

• Easy form upload
• Max refund
• 100% accuracy
• Professional prep 

Rest assured, filing with us is quick and straightforward. Before your tax return is sent to the IRS, it will be professionally reviewed by a tax expert.

And don’t worry, your tax return won’t be submitted until you have reviewed and confirmed your intent to file. You can go back to edit your information or ask questions if needed!

Navigation: Tax filing -> File taxes

 

When you first start your tax return, we'll ask who you’re filing for: yourself, your spouse, or dependent(s). Following that, you'll begin the filing process, which involves three key stages:

• Share details
• Keeper review 
• Sign & file

We'll delve into each of these stages in greater detail later on.

 

Past Returns

All tax returns filed through Keeper, including both current and previous years, will be available in this section. You can request to have a copy of any return emailed to you. Additionally, if you uploaded any tax forms during the filing process, you'll be able to download them under the 'Documents' section once your filing is complete.

Navigation: Tax Filing -> Past Returns

When you select a specific tax return to download, you'll also see a brief summary showing how your tax bill or refund was calculated. This summary will include key details such as:

• Adjusted Gross Income (AGI)
• Standard or itemized deductions
• Total taxable income
• Any non-refundable credits
• Gross taxes owed
• Taxes withheld and refundable credits

If you need to quickly check information like your AGI, simply go to the Past Returns section after filing and select your tax return to view the details.

 

Ask tab

You can also access our AI Assistant chat box if you have any questions while going through the filing flow. Our AI assistant is powered by the collective intelligence of Keeper accountants and tens of thousands of previously filed tax returns, which can help you easily get through the filing process.

To access the chat box, click on the "Ask" button at the bottom of the menu.

💡 Tip: For more personalized assistance, simply ask for help from a staff member, and they’ll be happy to assist you.

Navigation: Web dashboard -> Ask

 

Tax Filing Process

Let's now explore the various sections of the filing process!

1. Share details

Drop Off Tax Forms

At the beginning of the tax filing process, you can upload the necessary tax forms or documents for your return. You can do this by dragging and dropping your files, uploading a photo, or selecting documents from your device.

📝 After you’ve uploaded your tax forms, you can review them by returning to the 'Drop off tax forms' section of the File Taxes tab. This will show all the forms you've uploaded, and you can view the details by selecting each specific form.

Navigation: File Taxes -> Share Details -> Drop Off Tax Forms

 

Moreover, if you prefer to input your tax form details manually, you can easily do so by selecting Enter manually. This option directs you to a page where you can choose the specific tax form you wish to enter manually.

Navigation: File Taxes -> Share details -> Drop off tax forms -> Enter manually

 

Scan for deductions

Once you've uploaded all your tax forms, you can scan your bank accounts to identify potential deductions. After scanning, be sure to review your deductions to confirm that everything is accurate.

Navigation: File Taxes -> Share details -> Scan for deductions

 

Answer personalized questionnaire

Once you're done reviewing your deductions, you can start answering the questionnaire. You'll be prompted with a series of questions tailored to your tax situation. Please answer them as accurately as possible. If you have any queries or find any part unclear, feel free to let us know. We're here to assist you every step of the way!

Navigation: File Taxes -> Share details -> Answer personalized questionnaire -> Start questionnaire

 

Submit for review

The next stage of the filing process involves reviewing all the details you've entered. Once you've completed answering all the questions, you'll land on a summary page that neatly organizes the information you've provided. Each section in your tax filing summary is interactive, allowing you to easily make any adjustments if necessary.

During this stage, you also have the option to include any additional income, credits, or deductions by simply clicking on the sections marked with a + sign.

Navigation: File Taxes -> Share details -> Your tax information

If everything appears accurate, you can proceed to submit your return for review by selecting Continue to Keeper review. Our dedicated team of tax experts will then review your filing to ensure its accuracy.

 

2. Keeper review 

Once we have completed the review of your return, we will inform you if there are any issues that need your attention. If everything is in order, you will see your tax bill or refund details when you return to the filing process. Before you submit your tax filing to the IRS, you’ll have the opportunity to review your return and the final tax calculations, which will show your tax bill and/or refund amounts for both federal and state taxes.

Remember, we won't submit your return without your approval! 

 

Tax return summary

On this page, you'll see your finalized tax bill or refund amounts, as well as a summary of your tax filing information. 

Tax bill amounts are displayed in red, while refund amounts appear in green. You also have the option to edit your return by selecting 'Unlock to make edits.' 

📝 Please note that you will only see your finalized tax bill/refund details in the File Taxes section after submitting your return for review.

 

3. Sign & file

Once you’ve confirmed your tax bill or refund details and are ready to proceed with filing your return, simply click ‘Sign & File’ to move on to the next step.

 

Selecting your payment method

On the next page, you’ll choose your payment method. This will be utilized for either paying your taxes or depositing your refund if you're entitled to one.

You have the option to add a bank account or choose the 'pay later' option.

 

If you choose 'Add a bank account,' you can either select from the accounts already linked to the app or manually enter your bank account information.

 

Opting to 'pay later' allows you to set up a payment plan with the IRS, giving you more time to pay your taxes. However, if you're anticipating a refund from either the IRS or your state, selecting this option means they will mail you a check to the home address you provided on your return.

 

Sign your return 

After selecting your payment method, we'll ask if you'd like a copy of your return emailed to you. It's important to carefully review your tax return before signing.

On the following screen, you'll be able to sign your return.

 

Once you've signed, you'll see another overview of your finalized tax bill or refund with a breakdown of your tax information. 

At the bottom of this page, confirm your intent to file by clicking on the Send to IRS button.

📝 Important Note: Once you send your return to the IRS, you won't be able to make any further changes to your return.

 

Congratulations! Your return will be transmitted to the IRS.

Now, sit back and relax. You'll receive a confirmation once the IRS accepts your return.

If, for any reason, the IRS rejects your return, don't worry. We'll promptly notify you and provide details on why it was rejected and how to correct the error.

Want to know more? See our Filing with Keeper articles for more useful tips.

In the Settings section of your Keeper web dashboard, you can conveniently manage various aspects of your account. This includes updating your personal information, adjusting notification preferences, managing your subscription, and linking your bank accounts.

 

Linked Accounts

You can easily add your bank accounts or cards through the Linked Accounts section in your web dashboard. Once linked, these accounts will be displayed in the same section.
From there, you can choose how each account is used by selecting one of the following options:

• Used for work & personal expenses
• Used only for work expenses
• Used only for personal expenses

Selecting any of these options will affect how the status of transactions from each account appears in the Deductions tab.

If you no longer wish to see transactions from a particular account, you have the option to remove the account from your linked accounts.

If your bank isn’t supported by Plaid, you can still upload a spreadsheet or statement with your expenses. Simply click "Upload Expenses" under Linked Accounts. Once the upload is complete, your expenses will appear in the Deductions tab. You can also access this feature under "Add Expense" on the Deductions page. We currently support PDF, XLSX, and CSV file formats.

Navigation: Settings -> Linked accounts

 

Notifications

Here, you can adjust your notification preferences to:

• App notifications
• SMS text messages
• Don't notify me

Navigation: Settings -> Notifications

📝 Please note that the notifications displayed in the Settings tab are only examples, not your actual notifications. If you choose to receive app notifications, you'll get push alerts whenever the Keeper app provides updates about your potential deductions or tax filing status. If you prefer SMS notifications, these updates will be sent to you via text messages instead.

 

Login credentials

In this section, you can update your:

• First and last name
• Email address
• Phone number

Navigation: Settings -> Login credentials

 

Subscription

This is where you can view and manage your membership plan.

• Edit subscription
• Edit payment method
• Cancel subscription

📝 When you cancel the renewal of your subscription, you are effectively unsubscribing / deactivating your account. You will not incur any charges moving forward unless you decide to resubscribe.

Navigation: Settings -> Subscription

Towards the bottom of the Subscription page, you'll find an option to permanently delete your Keeper account. Please note that choosing this option will unlink all connected bank accounts and erase all data stored in your account, with the exception of your tax filing information. To comply with federal regulations, tax filing data must be retained for three years.

Navigation: Settings -> Subscription -> Delete account and all data