FreeAgent + Contractors & Freelancers: Faster Bank Import
Contractors and freelancers juggling personal and business accounts need to separate expenses for tax purposes. If you use FreeAgent for your accounting, you need a fast way to get bank statement data into the system.
BankScan AI for Contractors & Freelancers Using FreeAgent
BankScan AI converts any bank statement PDF to CSV / OFX formatted for direct import into FreeAgent. Upload your bank statements and get organised spreadsheets that make expense categorisation and self-assessment tax returns straightforward.
The Contractors & Freelancers + FreeAgent Workflow
Contractors download bank statements from both personal and business accounts, separate allowable business expenses from personal spending, categorise expenses by type for self-assessment, and either prepare their own tax return or send organised records to their accountant. Limited company contractors also need to reconcile director's loan accounts.
Key terms you'll encounter: IR35, director's loan account, allowable expenses, flat rate VAT.
How It Works
Upload any bank statement PDF
Supports all major banks. Saves 1-2 hours per month on expense tracking and categorisation, plus 3-4 hours at year-end when preparing records for self-assessment
AI formats for FreeAgent
Output as CSV / OFX with Date, Description, Amount (single column) — FreeAgent also accepts OFX files which skip the column mapping step entirely — dates in DD/MM/YYYY.
Import and reconcile
In FreeAgent, go to Banking > select your account > Import Bank Statement. Choose CSV or OFX format, upload the file, and FreeAgent will parse the transactions automatically. FreeAgent automatically estimates your tax bill in real-time as transactions are imported, giving sole traders an up-to-date picture of their tax liability.
Supported Banks
BankScan AI works with all major UK and US banks, including:
FreeAgent Features for Contractors & Freelancers
- FreeAgent ready — Output formatted as CSV / OFX matching FreeAgent's expected column structure
- Smart integration — FreeAgent automatically estimates your tax bill in real-time as transactions are imported, giving sole traders an up-to-date picture of their tax liability.
- Built for Contractors & Freelancers — Saves 1-2 hours per month on expense tracking and categorisation, plus 3-4 hours at year-end when preparing records for self-assessment
- Software compatible — Output works directly with FreeAgent, Xero, QuickBooks Self-Employed
Import Steps for Contractors & Freelancers Using FreeAgent
As contractor, here's how to get bank data into FreeAgent:
- In FreeAgent, go to Banking > select your account > Import Bank Statement
- Choose CSV or OFX format, upload the file, and FreeAgent will parse the transactions automatically
Common Import Issues
FreeAgent can struggle with CSV files that have extra header rows or summary rows at the bottom. Ensure only transaction data rows are included.
FreeAgent Import — Built for Contractors & Freelancers
Free for NatWest, RBS, and Ulster Bank business customers. Popular among UK freelancers and contractors for its simple self-assessment tax return filing.
Try Free — FreeAgent + Contractors & Freelancers