Frequently asked questions about receipts for the self-employed

A receipt is one of the documents most commonly used by self-employed persons to justify expenses related to business activity. It’s no surprise that we frequently receive questions about it, so we’ve prepared a brief guide to help ensure receipts are stored and registered correctly.

Is it mandatory to include details on the receipt?

It depends on the transaction amount. If the value exceeds EUR 30 (excluding VAT), then personal details – your name, surname, and other legally required information – must be included. Otherwise, the receipt cannot be claimed as a business expense. Learn more about mandatory document details in our blog.

Self-employed persons often ask: do I really have to request my details on every store receipt when buying for business purposes? As inconvenient as it may seem, yes – it is required. Only then can you use the receipt to justify the expense. If you attach a receipt without personal details, the State Revenue Service may request the full amount be classified as non-business related.

If the amount excluding VAT does not exceed EUR 30, the details are optional. However, we recommend including them anyway – just in case the tax authority has questions or doubts about the expenses.

How many expense receipts can I submit?

There are no limits on the number of receipts you can register. The main thing is that the expenses are directly related to your business activity and that the receipts are correctly formatted.

How long should I keep receipts?

Keeping records in your accounting journal is not enough – self-employed persons are also required to store the supporting documents. Just like invoices and delivery-acceptance reports, receipts must be stored for 5 years. Learn more about document retention periods in the Accounting Law.

What if the receipt fades – do I have to keep the original?

Although documents must be stored for 5 years, there are exceptions. If a receipt fades, the original is no longer valid, so a scanned or photographed version is also considered acceptable to prove the business-related expense.

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