New business spending categories

Banking Business Banking
1

It seems like ages ago that Starling added the new categories for personal customers, but finally, they’re adding new categories to the business accounts, too.

These are taken from their API documentation (effective 20th April 2026), but gives you a good idea:

ACCOUNTANCY_FEES, 
ADVERTISING,
AGENT_MANAGEMENT_AND_LEGAL_FEES,
BUILDINGS,
CAPITAL_INTRODUCED,
CAPITALISED_COSTS,
CATEGORISE_LATER,
CHARITABLE_DONATIONS,
COMPUTER_HARDWARE,
CONSULTANCY_FEES,
CORPORATION_TAX_OWED,
COST_OF_SALES,
COUNCIL_TAX_PAID_BY_YOU,
CREDIT_CARD_REPAYMENTS,
DIRECTORS_LOAN,
DISPOSAL_OF_ASSETS,
DONATIONS,
EMPLOYEE_AND_EMPLOYER_PENSIONS,
EMPLOYEE_BENEFITS,
EMPLOYEE_ENTERTAINING,
EMPLOYEE_PENSIONS,
EQUIPMENT_HIRE,
EXCHANGE_RATE_CHANGES,
FURNITURE_AND_EQUIPMENT,
GARDENING_CLEANING_AND_OTHER_SERVICES,
GRANTS,
IMPORT_VAT,
INTANGIBLE_ASSETS,
INTEREST_GAINED,
MILEAGE_AND_OTHER_TRAVEL_COSTS,
MONEY_OWED_FROM_CLIENTS,
MONEY_OWED_TO_EMPLOYEES,
MONEY_OWED_TO_OTHERS,
MONEY_OWED_TO_SUPPLIERS,
MONEY_OWED_TO_THE_BUSINESS,
MORTGAGE_CAPITAL_REPAYMENTS,
MULTIPLE
NON_RESIDENTIAL_PROPERTY_FINANCE_COSTS,
OFFICE_AND_POSTAGE_COSTS,
OTHER_ALLOWABLE_COSTS,
OTHER_RATES_PAID_BY_YOU,
OWED_TO_PAYE_AND_NI,
PAYE_AND_NI,
PENALTIES_AND_FINES,
PENSION_CONTRIBUTIONS_OWED,
PENSION_CONTRIBUTIONS,
PERSONAL_WITHDRAWALS,
PLATFORM_FEES,
PROPERTY_UPGRADES,
REIMBURSED_EXPENSES,
RENT_PAID_BY_YOU,
RENTAL_INCOME,
RENTAL_INSURANCE,
RENTAL_REPAIRS_AND_MAINTENANCE,
RENTAL_SERVICES,
REPLACING_DAMAGED_FURNISHINGS_AND_APPLIANCES,
RESIDENTIAL_PROPERTY_FINANCE_COSTS,
SHARE_CAPITAL_OUTSTANDING,
SHARE_PREMIUM,
SOFTWARE_AND_SUBSCRIPTIONS,
SOFTWARE,
STAFF_TAXES,
STOCK,
TAX_POT_SAVINGS,
TRAINING,
UTILITIES_PAID_BY_YOU,
UTILITIES,
VEHICLE_AND_FUEL_COSTS,
VEHICLE_PURCHASES,

And also new spending category groups:

ASSETS,
EQUITY,
LIABILITIES
3

Is this something useful? I’m asking because I recall you operating a business. I thought, generally businesses would be using specialised tooling to track these kind of things, no?

4

You’re right in my case. I use accounting software separate to Starling, so it makes no difference to me.

If you’ve invested in the Starling business toolkit, it’s probably quite useful though. I’d imagine this is a stepping stone for Making Tax Digital. I believe Monzo allow you submit returns directly to HMRC from within their app or web interface (no direct experience).

I seem to recall they made an acquisition a while back that’s somewhat related - will see if I can find it - so perhaps it’ll all tie in together :man_shrugging:

–

Edit - they did. It was Ember

And Monzo’s submission tool is Coming Soon

5

Checked and the business toolkit is… currently not onboarding customers. I wonder if they’ll be moving into offering the full suite that you’re using separately currently.

6

It’ll be interesting. I use a package called QuickFile, which is a similar sort of thing to QuickBooks, Xero and Sage. They’re quite comprehensive in terms of functionality.

Personally, I wouldn’t want my bank to be my accounting software, but maybe that’s just me?

7

I don’t know, I know at least one of the barriers to starting a business is costs. Natwest Bundling FreeAgent and meaning that there’s one less thing to pay for wasn’t a bad thing. I wouldn’t mind if there was a company that owned a bank and bundled the rest of the bells and whistles in (VAT, reporting etc).

1 Like
8

I know what you mean. There are some decent options out there, even with generous free tiers.

But still, I wouldn’t pay £7 per month for Starling’s toolkit. Be interesting to see what their ‘new’ offer is. Watch this space, I guess!