Business expenses are the costs you incur to run your company. Tracking them properly lowers your tax bill, gives you an accurate picture of profitability, and helps you make smarter spending decisions throughout the year.

What counts as a business expense?

A business expense is any cost that is necessary and directly related to your work. Common examples include:

• Office supplies, software subscriptions, and equipment

• Travel and transport for client meetings or site visits

• Marketing, advertising, and website hosting

• Professional services like accounting or legal advice

• A portion of home office costs if you work from home

• Business insurance and bank fees on your Business Account

Personal expenses do not qualify, even if you paid for them from your business account. Keeping the two separate is why a dedicated account matters.

Why tracking expenses matters

Most business expenses can be deducted from your taxable income, which reduces the amount of tax you owe. But tax authorities expect documentation: receipts, invoices, and a clear record of what each payment was for.

Good expense tracking also shows you where your money goes. Are you spending too much on subscriptions you no longer use? Is travel eating into your margins? When every cost is categorized in your ledger, those patterns become visible.

Managing business expenses with bunq

Use your bunq Business Account for all business payments so every transaction is captured in one place. Instant notifications tell you the moment money goes out, and you can add notes or receipts directly in the app.

Connect your account to automation tools to export transactions to your accounting software, and use Tax Automation to set aside VAT on incoming payments automatically. Less manual work means fewer missed deductions.

Common questions

Can I deduct expenses paid from my personal account?

Sometimes, if the expense is genuinely for business and you have proof. But mixing accounts makes tracking harder and increases the risk of errors during tax filing. A separate Business Account is the cleaner approach.

How long should I keep expense records?

Most tax authorities require you to keep records for several years (often five to seven). Digital receipts stored in your banking app or accounting software count, as long as they are complete and readable.