How does the deduction finder work?
- 1GatherUpload receipts, invoices and income documents, or connect the books you already keep in TaxOrch.
- 2ClassifyEach expense is categorised, with the supplier, date and purpose read from the document and checked against its text.
- 3Match to rulesCategories and circumstances are matched to the deduction and relief rules held for your country and year.
- 4AskWhere a rule depends on something only you know, such as business use of a phone, you get a specific question.
- 5ShowEach suggestion lists the rule, its citation and the calculated effect on your estimate.
What kinds of deductions can it find?
What you can claim depends on the country and on whether you are employed, self-employed or running a company. The finder looks at the common groups below and only suggests those the rules for your jurisdiction support.
| Group | Typical examples | What it needs from you |
|---|---|---|
| Business expenses | Equipment, software, professional fees | Receipts and the business share of use |
| Workspace | A qualifying home office | How the space is used and for how long |
| Travel | Business journeys and mileage | Purpose and distance, or receipts |
| Capital allowances | Assets written off over time | Purchase date and cost; depreciation follows each country's schedule |
| Personal reliefs | Pension contributions, education, dependants | Amounts paid and eligibility facts |
The finder only suggests; it never claims anything on your behalf. You review each suggestion, accept or reject it, and the estimate updates with the working shown. Amounts and limits change every year, so TaxOrch takes them from the verified dataset for the tax year you are working on rather than from memory.
Why does every suggestion carry a citation?
A deduction is only useful if you can defend it. Every suggestion links to the section of the official document that allows it, and statute outranks guidance where the two differ. If sources conflict on a point that matters, the finder shows the conflict and recommends a human review instead of picking the more generous reading.
Does it catch duplicates and missing receipts?
Yes. Duplicates, misposted entries and missed deductions in your books are listed as findings for you to confirm or reject before they reach an estimate or a draft. For businesses, classified expenses become draft journal entries in exact decimal double entry, and no entry posts until a person approves it.
Who gets the most from it?
Freelancers with many small expenses, small businesses with assets and running costs, and individuals checking reliefs they may have overlooked. TaxOrch provides decision support, not professional tax advice, and does not file returns. Try it with a demo account.
Frequently asked questions
Will the deduction finder claim deductions for me?
- No. It suggests deductions with citations and calculated effects. TaxOrch does not file returns; you decide what to claim and file through the authority, authorised software or an adviser.
How does it know the current limits?
- Limits and rates come from the verified dataset for the tax year you choose, taken from official publishers memory.
What if a deduction depends on how I use something?
- It asks you a specific question, such as the business share of use, before including it. It does not assume an answer in your favour.
Related on TaxOrch
- Document uploadReceipts and invoices read into typed fields.
- Tax calculatorSee the effect of each deduction.
- Tax help for freelancersExpenses, estimates and several clients.
- Request a demo accountTry it on your own questions.