What this guide covers
Use CSV import as the practical bridge before bank feeds launch in early 2027. It helps you keep a complete cashbook while still preserving receipt evidence captured through the web or WhatsApp.
1. Export a statement from your bank
Choose a statement export for the period you want to review — CSV, .xls, or .xlsx all work. SimpleTaxFlow recognises common columns such as Date, Description, Reference, Amount, Money in, and Money out. If your bank export is unusual, remap the columns in the preview, or download the template CSV and copy the rows into that format.
Download the template2. Open the Activity import page and pick the business
Go to Activity, choose Import CSV, and select the statement file. If you have more than one business, pick which business the statement belongs to — matching and any new transactions are scoped to that business, and the import is labelled with its name.
Open Activity3. Review the preview and column mapping before importing
The preview shows the dates, descriptions, references, and amounts SimpleTaxFlow found, plus which CSV column was matched to each field. If your bank uses unusual headers, remap the columns right there — pick the correct column for Date, Description, Amount (or Money in/out), and Reference — then apply the mapping to refresh the preview. Fix the CSV itself only when a row has an invalid date, missing description, or zero amount.
See the record guide4. Let SimpleTaxFlow match existing records
Rows with the same date, amount, and matching reference or description are linked to existing transactions instead of duplicated. This is how a receipt captured earlier through WhatsApp or the web can be reconciled to the later bank statement line.
Learn receipt capture5. Review new imported transactions
Statement rows that do not match an existing record are added to Activity as uncategorised transactions. Review the category, business purpose, and supporting evidence before relying on the totals for MTD.
Prepare the quarterBefore you move on
- The CSV has Date and Description columns
- Amounts use either one signed Amount column or separate Money in and Money out columns
- The preview has been checked before import
- Matched rows reconcile existing receipt records rather than creating duplicates
- New imported rows are categorised and reviewed in Activity
Put the guide into practice.
Open the relevant workspace and complete the next step with this guide available in another tab.
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