Create an expense

You can create an expense to request payment from an employer’s workspace or from a friend using any of the following options:

  • SmartScan: Take a picture of a receipt to capture the expense details automatically.
  • Add manually: Manually enter the expense details.
  • Create a distance expense: Capture mileage expenses by entering the addresses you traveled to. Expensify automatically calculates the distance, the rate per mile, and the total cost.

SmartScan a receipt

  1. Click the + icon in the bottom left menu and select Submit Expense.
  2. Click Scan.
  3. Drag and drop the receipt into Expensify, or click Choose File to select it from your saved files. Note: The SmartScan process will auto-populate the merchant, date, and amount.
  4. Use the search field to find the desired workspace or an individual’s name, email, or phone number.
  5. Add a description, category, tags, or tax as desired, or as required by your workspace.
  6. (Optional) Enable the expense as billable if it should be billed to a client.
  7. Click Submit Expense.
  1. Tap the + icon at the bottom of the screen and select Submit Expense.
  2. Tap Scan.
  3. Tap the green button to take a photo of a receipt, or tap the Image icon to the left of it to upload a receipt from your phone. Note: The SmartScan process will auto-populate the merchant, date, and amount.
  4. Use the search field to find the desired workspace or an individual’s name, email, or phone number.
  5. Add a description, category, tags, or tax as desired, or as required by your workspace.
  6. (Optional) Enable the expense as billable if it should be billed to a client.
  7. Tap Submit.

You can also forward receipts to receipts@expensify.com using an email address that is your primary or secondary email address. SmartScan will automatically pull all of the details from the receipt and add it to your expenses.

Manually add an expense

  1. Click the + icon in the bottom left menu and select Submit Expense.
  2. Click Manual.
  3. Enter the amount on the receipt and click Next. Note: Click the currency symbol to select a different currency.
  4. Use the search field to find the desired workspace or an individual’s name, email, or phone number.
  5. (Optional) Add a description.
  6. Add a merchant.
  7. Click Show more to add additional fields (like a category) as desired, or as required by your workspace.
  8. Click Submit.
  1. Tap the + icon at the bottom of the screen and select Submit Expense.
  2. Tap Manual.
  3. Enter the amount on the receipt and tap Next. Note: Click the currency symbol to select a different currency.
  4. Use the search field to find the desired workspace or an individual’s name, email, or phone number.
  5. (Optional) Add a description.
  6. Add a merchant.
  7. Tap Show more to add additional fields (like a category) as desired, or as required by your workspace.
  8. Tap Submit.

Create a distance expense

  1. Click the + icon in the bottom left menu and select Submit Expense.
  2. Click Distance.
  3. Click Start and enter the starting location of your trip.
  4. Click Stop and enter the ending location of your trip.
  5. (Optional) Click Add stop to add additional stops, if applicable.
  6. Tap Next.
  7. Use the search field to find the desired workspace or an individual’s name, email, or phone number.
  8. (Optional) Add a description.
  9. Click Submit.
  1. Tap the + icon at the bottom of the screen and select Submit Expense.
  2. Tap Distance.
  3. Tap Start and enter the starting location of your trip.
  4. Tap Stop and enter the ending location of your trip.
  5. (Optional) Tap Add stop to add additional stops, if applicable.
  6. Tap Next.
  7. Use the search field to find the desired workspace or an individual’s name, email, or phone number. 8.(Optional) Add a description.
  8. Tap Submit.

Next Steps

The next steps for the expense depend on whether it was submitted to a workspace or to an individual:

  • Expenses submitted to a workspace are automatically added to a report and checked for any violations or inconsistencies. A chat thread for the expense is also added to your chat inbox. When you open the chat, the top banner will show the expense status and any next steps. By default, reports are automatically submitted for approval every Sunday. However, if it is ready for early submission, you can manually submit a report for approval. Once a report is submitted, your approver will be prompted to review your expense report. If changes are required, you will receive a notification to resolve any violations and resubmit. You will also be notified once your approver approves or denies your expenses.
  • Expenses submitted to a friend are sent right to that individual via email or text. You can chat with them about the expense in Expensify Chat, and you can receive payments through your Expensify Wallet or outside of Expensify.
FAQ

Can I divide a payment between multiple people?

Yes, you can split an expense to share the cost between multiple people.

Can I pay someone in another currency?

While you can record your expenses in different currencies, Expensify wallets are only available for members who can add a U.S. personal bank account.

Can I change an expense once I’ve submitted it?

Yes, you can edit an expense until it is paid. When an expense is submitted to a workspace, you, your approvers, and admins can edit the details on an expense except for the amount and date.

What are expense reports?

In Expensify, expenses are submitted on an expense report. When a draft report is open, all new expenses are added to the draft report. Once a report is submitted, it shows what stage of the approval process the expenses are in and any required next steps.

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