Split an expense
Split an expense across multiple categories: itemize a receipt by line, amount or percent, and mark personal expense items so they aren’t reimbursed.
Some receipts cover more than one thing: a hotel bill with a minibar, a supermarket run with a personal item, a dinner that’s half client entertainment. Splitting keeps it as one expense with one receipt, while each part gets its own category — so you can itemize across multiple categories and keep personal expenses out.
Open the split
In the expense form, click Split this expense. On a receipt, you can also use Actions → Split receipt.
Choose how to split
Under How to split, pick By item, By amount, By percent or Split evenly.
Set up each part
Give each part a Category and a description. Turn off Business expense for anything personal.
Save
The parts must add up to the receipt total. Save or submit as usual.
Split methods
| Method | Use it when |
|---|---|
| By item | The receipt has line items and you want to assign each item to a part |
| By amount | You know how much belongs to each part |
| By percent | You share a cost by ratio — percentages are saved as amounts |
| Split evenly | The cost is shared equally |
Personal parts
A part with Business expense turned off is marked Personal and isn’t counted as a company expense:
- If the employee paid, the personal part isn’t reimbursed.
- If the company paid, the personal part is collected from the employee.
Splitting doesn’t change the approval rules. Approval thresholds look at the full receipt total, and category rules apply if any part matches.
Troubleshooting
I can’t save the split. You need at least two parts, the parts must add up to the total, and when splitting By item every item must be in a part.
It asks for a reason. You’re splitting an expense that’s already saved, which counts as a change. Add a short reason — it’s kept in the expense’s history.