Why use a spreadsheet for tax prep?
Tax software is expensive and inflexible. A spreadsheet gives you complete control over how you organize and categorize your financial data for taxes. With SheetLink, you get:
- One-click transaction import. No CSV downloads or data entry.
- Custom categorization. Tag expenses by tax category (meals, travel, equipment and so on).
- Multi-account tracking. Combine business checking, credit cards and personal accounts.
- Year-round organization. Track expenses as they happen, not just at tax time.
- Easy sharing with your accountant. Give your CPA view access to your organized data.
How to build your tax prep spreadsheet
Setting up SheetLink for tax preparation takes less than 5 minutes:
Install the SheetLink Chrome extension
Connect your bank accounts
Create your Google Sheet
Press Sync now
Categorize for taxes
What expenses can I track for tax deductions?
SheetLink syncs every transaction type, so you can track every deductible expense:
Business expenses
Deductible costs
For freelancers, contractors and small business owners
If you receive 1099 income or run a small business, you need organized records for tax filing. SheetLink is built for:
- Freelancers and contractors: track income from multiple clients and deductible business expenses
- Side hustlers: separate business and personal transactions for accurate tax reporting
- Gig workers: organize Uber, DoorDash or Etsy income and expenses
- Small business owners: keep clean books for Schedule C or corporate tax returns
- Rental property owners: track rental income, maintenance costs and depreciation
Tax season workflow with SheetLink
Here’s how to use your SheetLink spreadsheet at tax time:
Review all transactions
Calculate totals by category
Build reports for your accountant
File with confidence
SheetLink vs. manual tax prep
| Manual tracking | SheetLink |
|---|---|
| Download CSVs from each bank | One-click sync from all your accounts |
| Categorize every expense by hand | Plaid’s categories on every transaction |
| Search for receipts at tax time | Tag and link receipts year-round |
| Risk missing deductions | Every transaction from every connected account |
Security and privacy for tax data
Tax records contain sensitive financial information. Here’s how SheetLink handles yours:
- Plaid handles your bank sign-in. Your bank credentials go to Plaid (SOC 2 certified), never to SheetLink.
- Transactions aren’t stored. They pass through SheetLink’s server in memory on their way to your Google Sheet.
- You control access. Your data lives in your Google account, with your permissions.
- Read-only access. SheetLink can only read transactions. It can’t move money.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 1 bank, your last 7 days, Google Sheets |
| Pro | $4.99/mo or $39.99/yr | Every bank you connect, up to 2 years of history, Google Sheets and Excel, priority email support |
| Max | $10.99/mo or $99/yr | Everything in Pro, plus investments, CLI automation, Postgres and SQLite output, and Claude |
Questions
How do I organize bank transactions for taxes?
Install the SheetLink Chrome extension, connect your bank account through Plaid, and press Sync now to bring your transactions into Google Sheets. Each transaction comes with Plaid’s categories, so you can easily identify deductible expenses, track income and organize receipts for tax filing. It suits freelancers, contractors and small business owners preparing for tax season.
Can I use Google Sheets to track expenses for taxes?
Yes. Google Sheets is excellent for tax prep. With SheetLink, you sync bank transactions with one click, categorize business expenses, track 1099 income and build reports for your accountant. SheetLink syncs multiple accounts (every bank you connect, on Pro), so you can separate personal and business transactions.
What transactions should I track for tax deductions?
Track all business-related expenses: home office costs, equipment purchases, software subscriptions, travel expenses, meals, vehicle expenses and professional services. SheetLink syncs these from your bank and credit cards to Google Sheets with one click, where you can categorize and tag them for tax deductions.
Is SheetLink safe for tracking tax information?
Yes. SheetLink connects to your bank through Plaid (SOC 2 Type II certified), the same infrastructure trusted by major financial apps. Your bank credentials never reach SheetLink, and the connection is read-only. Your transactions pass through SheetLink’s server in memory on their way to your Google Sheet and aren’t stored. The data lives in your Google account, where you control access.