Works with Excel, Google Sheets, Apple Numbers, and LibreOffice.
The file has column headings and 12 blank rows. It contains no macros, formulas, tracking, or sample data.
What the template tracks
| Column | Use |
|---|---|
| Date, Property | When you paid and which rental it belongs to. |
| Vendor or Payee, Description | Who was paid and what for. |
| Amount | The amount paid for that line. |
| Category | A label you can sort by, such as the Schedule E expense line names below. |
| Payment Method, Receipt or Invoice Reference | How you paid and where the supporting record is kept. |
| Notes | Anything to remember, such as repair or improvement questions to check. |
Category labels to start from
The IRS Schedule E form lists expense lines such as advertising, auto and travel, cleaning and maintenance, commissions, insurance, legal and other professional fees, management fees, mortgage interest, repairs, supplies, taxes, and utilities. Using the same names in the Category column makes it easier to total expenses at year end. Which category an expense belongs in, and whether it is a repair or an improvement, depends on the facts. See the IRS Schedule E instructions and Publication 527, or ask a tax professional.
Keep the record, not just the row
A log line is easier to support when the receipt, invoice, or bank record is saved and referenced. Put a file name or number in the Receipt or Invoice Reference column. The IRS rental recordkeeping guidance covers what records support income and expenses; see the IRS rental recordkeeping guide.