Every business expense you claim lowers your taxable income. If you buy a $1,000 laptop, you don't pay tax on that $1,000 of income—but only if you can prove you bought it.
The "Digital Shoebox" Method
Paper fades. Thermal receipts turn white in hot cars. You must digitize.
- Snap Immediately: Do not put the receipt in your pocket. Take a photo instantly.
- Cloud Storage: Upload to a Google Drive or Dropbox folder labeled "Expenses 2025".
- Rename: Rename the file to `DATE - VENDOR - AMOUNT`. (e.g., `2025-11-10 - Staples - 50.00`).
This 10-second habit will save you days of stress when tax season arrives.