Someone preparing a client's tax return gave ChatGPT the client's list of expenses, including a few items they didn't recognise, and it sorted them into the broad categories needed for the return. They said it saved them hours.
Here is a list of business expenses for [TYPE OF BUSINESS] in [COUNTRY] for [TAX YEAR]: [PASTE LIST WITH DATES, SUPPLIERS AND AMOUNTS]. Sort each one into these categories: [YOUR CATEGORIES, OR 'the usual categories for a self-assessment return']. Put anything you're unsure about, or that might be personal rather than business, in a separate 'check' list with a short reason, and give me totals per category.
Replace the [PLACEHOLDERS] with your own details before you send it.
How to try it
- Export or copy your expenses into a simple list, removing account numbers.
- Ask ChatGPT to categorise them and to list anything uncertain separately.
- Check the ‘unsure’ items yourself and have your accountant or the tax authority’s guidance confirm anything that matters.
More work use cases
Run a realistic mock job interview with Claude
Instead of her partner awkwardly playing interviewer, one jobseeker gave Claude the job description, a link to the company's website and her CV, then did a mock interview. She went in far better prepared and got the offer.
You're interviewing me for this role. Job description: [PASTE]. Company website: [LINK OR ABOUT TEXT]. My CV: [PASTE]. Ask me one question at a time, mixing competency, role-specific and tricky questions. After each answer, give brief feedback and a stronger example answer using my real experience. Finish with my three biggest areas to improve.
Write a tricky Excel formula with ChatGPT
One user had ChatGPT write an Excel formula for a billing file he fills in every month, saving him two to three hours of manual work each time.
In Excel, I have [DESCRIBE COLUMNS, E.G. COLUMN A: DATE, B: CLIENT, C: HOURS]. I want [WHAT YOU WANT, E.G. TOTAL HOURS PER CLIENT FOR LAST MONTH IN COLUMN F]. Write the formula, explain each part in plain English, and tell me how to copy it down safely.
Turn a week of rough notes into a weekly update with ChatGPT
On Hacker News, one worker said his company's weekly update format is a pain, so he keeps notes through the week and sends them to a custom GPT that writes the update in the required template. He spends about ten minutes tidying it, saving a couple of hours.
Turn these rough notes from my week into a weekly update using exactly this template: [PASTE TEMPLATE]. Notes: [PASTE NOTES]. Keep it factual, don't add anything that isn't in my notes, and flag any section where I haven't given you enough information.
Reference: X @AccountingAsArt