Write it off

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Some of my clients are business owners who incur expenses when dining with clients. One tip I like to share in order to help them to separate the business receipts from their personal receipts is to encourage them to immediately do the following when they receive the receipt:

1) Circle the date, total amount, and vendor/restaurant.

2) At the top, write the date, total amount, and vendor/restaurant (because receipt ink fades).

3) Flip over the receipt and write the client’s first and last name and at least two points of discussion having to do with why this is a business expense.

Taking care of this right away means they don’t have to try to remember the purpose of the meal and expense at a later date. It also ensures the receipts will be easy to identify amongst their personal receipts.