# Expense classifier: which category is this expense?

Source: https://www.barespend.com/free-tools/expense-classifier/
Last updated: 2026-10-27

Describe the purchase in a few words, such as “team lunch with client” or “monthly CRM subscription”. The tool suggests the most likely category from a standard small-business list and flags the ones that need extra care. It’s a starting point for coding, not tax advice.

This is a free tool that runs in the browser; open the page to use it. Nothing a visitor types is sent to Barespend.

The categories are the ones in our guide to business expense categories. Rename them to match your own chart of accounts.

Suggestions come from keyword rules, not from a model that sees your books. Always check anything unusual with your bookkeeper or accountant.

## Common questions

### Does this tell me whether an expense is tax deductible?

No. It suggests a category for your books. Tax treatment can differ by category, and meals and equipment are common examples, so ask your accountant.

### Why did it pick Miscellaneous?

None of its keywords matched. Try describing what was bought rather than who sold it, for example “printer ink” instead of the store name.

### Can I change the categories?

The tool uses a standard list. Map each one to the closest account in your chart of accounts.

### Does Barespend do this automatically?

Yes. Barespend codes each expense to your chart of accounts and syncs it to QuickBooks Online, Xero or Sage Intacct.