Is Claim Mate free?
Yes, completely free during early access. No credit card, no bank login, no trial period that expires. Just download the app and go. When we launch officially, founding members who joined during early access will get a significant discount locked in before the price is set publicly.
Is Claim Mate approved by the ATO?
Claim Mate is designed specifically for Australian tax requirements. Reports follow the Australian financial year quarters and include everything required for BAS preparation and income tax returns - expenses with receipts, vehicle trips with distances, and quarterly summaries. Your accountant or tax agent uses the report Claim Mate generates to lodge your BAS.
Do I still need to keep paper receipts?
No. The ATO accepts digital copies of receipts. When you photograph a receipt in Claim Mate, the image is stored securely alongside the extracted data. You can throw the paper away. The ATO requires you to keep records for five years - Claim Mate stores them digitally so you're covered.
Can I use this for my BAS lodgement?
Yes. Claim Mate generates a quarterly PDF report with all your business expenses and vehicle trips, formatted for BAS preparation. Hand it to your accountant or use it yourself if you lodge your own BAS through myGov. Everything is sorted by quarter and ready to go.
What vehicle expenses can I claim as a sole trader?
You can claim business-related vehicle expenses using either the cents per kilometre method (currently 88 cents per km) or the logbook method (a percentage of all vehicle costs based on business use). Claim Mate logs every trip with exact distances calculated by Google Maps, giving you accurate records for either method. Your accountant can advise which method suits your situation.
How do I keep records for BAS if I don't have an accountant?
Claim Mate is built for exactly this. Track expenses as you go by photographing receipts. Log work trips by entering addresses. At the end of each quarter, generate your PDF report. It includes everything the ATO requires - amounts, dates, merchants, GST, and trip distances. Many sole traders use this report to lodge their own BAS through myGov.
What is the difference between the logbook method and cents per km?
The cents per kilometre method lets you claim a set rate (currently 88 cents per km) for up to 5,000 business kilometres per year with no logbook required, just a record of each trip. The logbook method lets you claim a percentage of all vehicle running costs based on your business use over a 12-week logbook period, which is better if you drive a lot for work. Claim Mate tracks every trip with accurate distances for either method.
How does the receipt scanning work?
Take a photo of any receipt - fuel, tools, materials, parking, subcontractor invoices. The app reads the merchant name, date, amount, and GST automatically. You can review and edit anything before saving. The receipt image is stored alongside the data. No manual typing required.
Do I need to connect my bank account?
No, and that is a deliberate choice. Claim Mate works entirely through manual receipt scanning and trip logging. You do not need to hand over banking credentials to use it. Download the app and start in 60 seconds. Your financial details stay with you.
Is the app available on iPhone and Android?
Yes, Claim Mate is available on both iOS and Android. iPhone users can download it through TestFlight during early access. Android users can download it through Google Play. Links to both are sent in the welcome email when you sign up.
What if I need to edit or delete an expense?
You can edit any expense or trip at any time - amounts, dates, categories, or delete them entirely. All changes sync across your devices immediately.
Can I use this on multiple devices?
Yes. Claim Mate syncs everything across all your devices. Snap receipts on your phone during the day, review your records on a tablet in the evening - everything stays up to date.
Is my data secure?
Yes. All data is encrypted and stored securely in the cloud. Your records are private. We do not access your data for any purpose other than running the app.
