5 Expenses Business Owners Forget to Track (And Why It Costs Them Money)
Many business owners focus on the big expenses—payroll, rent, inventory—but it’s often the small, overlooked costs that quietly eat away at profits.
When expenses aren’t tracked correctly, your financial reports don’t tell the full story. That can lead to cash flow issues, missed tax deductions, and poor decision-making.
Here are 5 commonly forgotten business expenses you should be tracking every month
1️⃣ Software Subscriptions
From editing software to project management tools, subscriptions add up fast.
Commonly missed:
Monthly SaaS tools
Auto-renewed apps
Tools no longer being used
Why it matters: Untracked subscriptions inflate expenses and hide opportunities to cut costs.
2️⃣ Business Mileage & Vehicle Expenses
Many owners forget to log mileage or separate personal vs. business vehicle costs.
Includes:
Client visits
Supply runs
Business travel
Why it matters: Mileage deductions can significantly reduce your tax liability—but only if they’re tracked properly.
3️⃣ Bank & Credit Card Fees
Small fees often go unnoticed:
Monthly account fees
Credit card processing fees
Wire or ACH charges
Why it matters: These fees impact profitability and should be categorized correctly for accurate reporting.
4️⃣ Owner Reimbursements
Did you pay for something personally and forget to reimburse yourself?
Examples:
Office supplies
Online tools
Business meals
Why it matters: Missing reimbursements distort your books and understate true business expenses.
5️⃣ Professional & Licensing Fees
These often get lumped together or missed entirely:
Business licenses
Professional membership
Continuing education
Legal or consulting fees
Why it matters: These are legitimate deductions and should be tracked consistently.
Why Accurate Expense Tracking Matters
When expenses are tracked correctly, you gain:
✔️ Clear profit visibility
✔️ Better cash flow management
✔️ Cleaner financial reports
✔️ Fewer surprises at tax time
Clean books aren’t just about compliance, they’re about control.
🎉 January Special
• FREE bookkeeping evaluation
• 50% OFF 2025 bookkeeping cleanup
📩 Get your FREE 15-minute Financial Health Check
📍 Proudly serving Raleigh, Durham & the Triangle
