FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
- JO
Are the scanned receipts and invoices IRS-compliant?
Learn whether SparkReceipt’s scanned receipts and invoices are IRS‑compliant — digital copies meet IRS requirements for legibility, integrity, and accessibility for tax and audit purposes.
- JO
Bank Statement extraction credits: What they are and how they work?
Extracting transactions from a bank statement costs 1 credit per transaction line. If your account was given a one-time free allowance of lines, for example through an offer, it is used automatically first.
- JO
Can I Add My Employees, Co‑Founders, or Spouse to SparkReceipt? What Can They See?
Learn how to invite employees, co‑founders, spouses, and accountants to your SparkReceipt account — plus which user roles have access to view, edit, or submit your receipts and documents.
- JO
Can I link my bank and credit card accounts to SparkReceipt?
Yes. You can connect a US or Canadian bank or credit-card account so transactions import automatically (1 connection on Pro and 10 on Elite), or upload statements from any bank and have SparkReceipt extract and match the transactions.
- ST
Can I send receipts to SparkReceipt from WhatsApp, a scanner or other apps?
Share photos and PDFs from WhatsApp, Photos or Files to the SparkReceipt mobile app, upload scanner PDFs in the web app, and forward app receipts by email. SparkReceipt has no direct connection to WhatsApp groups, ScanSnap, FTP, Apple Pay or ride apps like FREE NOW.
- JO
Can I track mileage with SparkReceipt?
Yes. Trips, the built-in mileage tracker, is live on iOS, Android and the web. Record trips with GPS or add them manually, get trips from your calendar, add per diem, and export trip reports.
- JO
Can monthly credits be used to scan more documents or receipts?
Yes — once your plan's monthly document quota is used up, further scans are paid for automatically from your credits at 10 credits per document.
- JO
Can other users see my uploaded documents?
How document visibility works in SparkReceipt and which roles can see what.
- JO
Can SparkReceipt be linked directly to Google Sheets?
SparkReceipt doesn’t directly integrate with Google Sheets, but it allows you to export your financial data as CSV files — which are fully compatible with Google Sheets. You can also import a Google spreadsheet, Excel, or CSV of expenses — download it and upload it as a bank statement so each row becomes its own expense. Advanced users can also build webhook-based workflows for Google Drive.
- JO
Can SparkReceipt be used purely as a document scanner (like CamScanner)?
Yes. The mobile app's camera scans any paper document, crops it and stores it in your account as an Other document. Covers how capture works, whether it can take the picture automatically, and why a scanned receipt can get the wrong date.
- JO
Can SparkReceipt categorize individual line items from my receipts?
Yes. Premium scans (every scan on Elite) extract each line item with its own Category, quantity and unit price, and on any plan you can add, edit and categorize lines by hand. Admins can turn line item extraction off in Document scanning.
- ST
Can SparkReceipt create a GST, BAS or VAT report, or export to TurboTax?
SparkReceipt does not fill in a BAS, VAT return, Schedule E or TurboTax, but any report shows the tax on each document and the tax totals for a period, and US sole proprietors can export a Schedule C package.
- JO
Can SparkReceipt Export All Documents as PDFs?
Yes. Download a single document as a PDF from the document itself, or export many documents into one PDF report from the Documents view.
- JO
Can SparkReceipt extract multiple receipts from a single PDF file?
No. SparkReceipt reads one receipt per document, so a PDF or an email holding several receipts or invoices becomes one document. Split them into separate files, or separate emails, before sending them in.
- JO
Can SparkReceipt handle different international tax formats (e.g., Canadian GST/PST)?
SparkReceipt recognizes common international tax formats — including VAT, Canadian GST/PST/HST, and single-rate sales taxes — and can split a receipt's tax into multiple lines automatically.
- JO
Can SparkReceipt handle handwritten text?
SparkReceipt can extract handwritten text from receipts and notes using advanced OCR and AI. While accuracy depends on clarity, it works well with structured, legible handwriting.
- ST
Can SparkReceipt make a Profit and Loss statement or a Balance sheet?
SparkReceipt shows a Profit and Loss (P&L) for any period on the Overview and exports it as a PDF and an Excel file you can print, but it does not make a Balance sheet.
- JO
Can SparkReceipt Register Different Document Types (e.g., Medical, Business Cards, etc.)?
Yes. Besides expenses, income and statements, you can store any file as an Other document, such as medical papers, business cards or contracts. You can't add your own document types, so use Tags to group them.
- ST
Can SparkReceipt save my receipts to Dropbox or Google Drive, or email each receipt to me?
SparkReceipt has no direct Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive integration and does not email each scanned receipt back to you. Download your files as a ZIP and save them to your cloud, use a webhook with Zapier or Make to copy each new document automatically, or turn on weekly or monthly report emails.
- JO
Can SparkReceipt scan IRS or tax documents?
SparkReceipt can scan, organize, and export IRS and tax‑related documents. Capture tax forms and financial records with secure storage and easy searchability.
- JO
Credits & Returns: How to Show Negative Expenses in SparkReceipt
To track returned items or refunds in SparkReceipt, simply add a minus sign before the amount. This makes the transaction negative and adjusts totals accordingly.
- JO
Do You Increase Prices? Can I Add Licenses One at a Time?
Can I continue buying seats one by one in the future?
- JO
Does SparkReceipt back up the receipts and documents?
Yes — your files are stored in AWS in Stockholm with a mirrored backup in Frankfurt. You can also export your own copy of every document at any time from the Reports feature.
- JO
Does SparkReceipt encrypt stored data?
Yes — SparkReceipt encrypts your data in transit (TLS) and at rest (AES-256 in Postgres and AWS S3), with additional application-level encryption for sensitive credentials.
- JO
Does SparkReceipt Have Invoice-Generation Capabilities?
No. SparkReceipt doesn't create, number or send invoices. Make invoices in your invoicing or accounting software, then keep them in SparkReceipt as Income documents and track their payment status.
- JO
Does SparkReceipt have tutorials or training videos?
Yes. Tutorial videos are in the web app under Tutorials in the user menu, the SparkReceipt Academy checklist walks new users through setup, and video overviews are on the SparkReceipt YouTube channel.
- JO
Does SparkReceipt integrate with bank accounts automatically?
Yes. You can connect a US or Canadian bank or credit-card account so transactions import automatically (on the Pro and Elite plans), or upload statements from any bank and SparkReceipt extracts the transactions. Both feed the same Transaction Manager.
- JO
Does SparkReceipt offer a rolling 12-month expense and income report after all content has been entered?
There's no report that rolls forward on its own, but you can generate an expense and income report for any 12-month window using a custom date range, and re-run it whenever you need it current.
- JO
Does SparkReceipt store images of scanned receipts?
Yes. SparkReceipt keeps the image or PDF of every scanned receipt in encrypted EU storage. You can add more files to a document, change their order, rotate or crop images, and remove files, but a removed file is deleted for good.
- JO
File Format and Max File Size for Upload
SparkReceipt accepts files up to 24 MB each. The web app takes PDFs, images, Excel, CSV, Word, HTML and XML. The mobile app takes PDFs, images, HTML and XML. Email files (.eml), ZIP archives and SVG images aren't supported.
- JO
How Can I Manage Multiple Businesses or Accounts Within SparkReceipt?
SparkReceipt's Linked Accounts let you run several businesses, or business and personal expenses, as separate accounts under one login, each with its own documents, users and settings.
- ST
How do I import a spreadsheet of expenses so I get one entry per row?
Upload a spreadsheet or CSV of expenses or income as a bank statement, not as an expense. SparkReceipt reads each row as a transaction, and Create entries turns the rows into one document each. There is no fixed template. A date, description and amount column is enough.
- JO
How Does SparkReceipt Handle Encrypted or Password-Protected Documents?
SparkReceipt cannot process encrypted or password-protected files. To ensure successful extraction and categorization, remove any passwords before uploading your documents.
- JO
How does the monthly credit system work?
Credits pay for bank statement extraction, scanning beyond your monthly document quota and email history import. Monthly credits reset on the first day of each calendar month and don't roll over. Extra credit packs never expire, and their price is shown when you buy.
- JO
How long does SparkReceipt store my receipts?
SparkReceipt stores your receipts for at least 10 years, using EU-based, encrypted storage and secure backups. Data stays accessible after cancellation and can be permanently deleted on request.
- JO
How secure is SparkReceipt and where is data stored?
SparkReceipt uses secure, GDPR-compliant infrastructure within the EU, with strong encryption, limited internal access, and enterprise-grade privacy controls. Your data is never used for training AI and can be deleted at your request.
- JT
How to clear temporary data to fix login issues in the SparkReceipt web app
In this article we'll take a look at how to clear any data, cookies, and so on created by the SparkReceipt web app in your desktop Safari browser.
- ST
I can't log in, or SparkReceipt won't load. What should I check?
Steps for when the SparkReceipt mobile app or web app won't let you log in or won't load, including what each login error means and how to tell whether SparkReceipt itself is down.
- JO
Is API Access Available in SparkReceipt?
SparkReceipt does not currently provide API access, but CSV exports and webhooks offer alternative ways to automate and integrate. Full API functionality is under consideration for future development.
- AL
Is it safe to connect an AI tool to my SparkReceipt account?
How SparkReceipt's MCP connection keeps your data safe — you approve the accounts and permissions, your password never leaves your browser, and you can disconnect any time.
- JO
Is SparkReceipt actively maintained? Where can I see what's new?
Yes. The web app is updated continuously and the iPhone and Android apps get new versions several times a month. The release notes for each mobile version are in the App Store and Google Play under What's New.
- JO
Is There a Budget Feature in SparkReceipt?
No. SparkReceipt has no budgets, spending limits or budget alerts. The Overview shows cash flow, profit and loss and spending by Category, recurring documents feed a cash flow projection, and you can export data to Excel to compare against a budget.
- ST
Is there a live chat with a human in SparkReceipt? Phone, video call and email support
Yes. You can chat with a real person on our support team from the web app and the mobile app, or email support@sparkreceipt.com. SparkReceipt has no phone support, and onboarding sessions with a founder come with the Founder pack.
- JO
Managing GST & PST in SparkReceipt (Canada Tax System)
Does SparkReceipt work with Canadian Tax practises? Managing GST & PST in SparkReceipt
- JO
My receipts are gone/lost/deleted?
Documents that seem to have disappeared are almost always in the Trash bin, hidden by a filter, filed under another date, in another linked account, or in a different SparkReceipt login. Here is how to check each one.
- ST
What can't SparkReceipt do? Cheques, contracts, e-invoicing, tax rules and notes
SparkReceipt does not print cheques, sign contracts, send e-invoices through the French system, decide tax treatment (German tax law, Australian FBT, PERA), track loans or keep to-do notes. Here is the closest thing it does for each.
- JO
What Currencies Does SparkReceipt Support?
SparkReceipt supports 150+ currencies, keeps each receipt in its own currency and converts totals and reports to your account's home currency, which you can change in Account settings.
- JO
What happens if I run out of credits mid-task?
Nothing is lost. A bank statement extraction pauses and resumes on its own once you have credits again; a document scan is refused up front rather than half-processed.
- JO
What happens to my receipts if I cancel my account?
Don’t worry — your data stays safe and accessible even if you cancel your SparkReceipt subscription. You’ll still be able to log in, view your receipts and documents, and export your data at any time.
- JO
What Industries Can SparkReceipt Be Used In?
SparkReceipt is used across industries like consulting, construction, healthcare, nonprofits, e-commerce, and more. Learn how it supports secure, organized expense tracking for any business.
- JO
What is the difference between AI scans, premium scans?
They aren't two scan types you choose between. Every scan is an AI scan and uses your monthly quota; a premium scan is one that additionally extracts individual line items.
- JO
What languages and currencies does SparkReceipt work in?
The app is in English, Finnish, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Swedish and Turkish. SparkReceipt reads receipts in many more languages and 150+ currencies, converts totals to your home currency, and lets you set a custom exchange rate. It doesn't translate files.
- JO
What types of receipts and documents does SparkReceipt support?
Taking photos of receipts and invoices is just one of several ways to upload documents. SparkReceipt supports a wide range of document types and upload methods, capture and store receipts and financial documents however it’s most convenient for you.
- ST
When do I get my Refer a friend reward?
You get your reward after your friend makes their first payment above zero on sparkreceipt.com, and only if you pay for SparkReceipt on sparkreceipt.com yourself. A signup, a free trial or a free first month doesn't count. We email you once the reward is on your next bill.
- ST
Which banks and apps can I connect to SparkReceipt? (Venmo, PayPal, Wise, Square, Clover, Amazon)
SparkReceipt connects to bank and credit-card accounts in the United States and Canada. Payment apps, POS systems, marketplaces and utility accounts have no direct connection, so you upload their statements or forward their receipts instead.
- ST
Which fields are required on a document, and which can I leave blank?
Almost nothing is mandatory on a SparkReceipt document — Merchant, amount, category, payment method and more all save blank. Only currency, date and document type are ever required, and SparkReceipt fills those in for you.
- ST
Why is the VAT zero on my UK or Irish supermarket receipt, and how do I add it?
SparkReceipt reads VAT from the VAT figures a receipt prints. A till receipt that prints none stores 0.00 VAT unless its line items carry VAT at different rates and add up to the total. You can set the rate on the line items yourself.