Start Smarter: Found Business Banking for the Self-Employed (Built-In Bookkeeping + Tax Tools)

[Referral note]: This post includes my Found invite link. If you open an account and spend $100, you’ll get $20 (offer subject to Found’s terms; eligibility may vary).
👉 Join Found:

Running a business on vibes and spreadsheets is how write-offs get missed and tax season turns chaotic. Found is business banking built for solos, freelancers, and micro-teams—with bookkeeping, expense tracking, and tax tools baked in. One app for your money and your records, without hidden fees or minimums (always confirm current terms in-app).

Why Found (and who it’s for)

If you’re:

• Self-employed/1099 (creatives, coaches, rideshare, consultants),
• Owner-operator in services or trades,
• Micro-business paying a few contractors,

Found helps you track income, expenses, and taxes in one stack so you’re not rebuilding last year from screenshots in April.

What stands out

• Business checking for the self-employed.
• Built-in bookkeeping: auto-categorize, tag, and search transactions.
• Tax tools: real-time tax estimates and set-asides as money lands.
• Invoicing & payments: send branded invoices; track paid/overdue.
• Receipts: snap or forward; attach to the right transaction once.

(Features/limits change over time and can vary by region—verify in the app.)

Step-by-step: Clean, safe setup (10–20 minutes)

1. Open your account via the referral link
👉 Join Found now
Complete identity and business details (standard KYC).

2. Lock down security

• Turn on authenticator-app 2FA (not SMS).
• Use a strong, unique password (store it in a password manager).
• Enable login/transaction alerts.

3. Connect revenue
Route marketplace payouts or client payments into Found. Keep personal vs. business money separate—no co-mingling.

4. Tune tax settings
Set a target withholding % (or use the app’s estimator) so each deposit automatically reserves a slice for taxes.

5. Customize categories
Map common spend to Schedule-C-style categories (supplies, ads, mileage) so filing is plug-and-play.

6. Turn on receipts
Snap receipts in-app or forward by email; attach once, done.

Pockets: simple, powerful buckets for your cash

• What Pockets are: Sub-compartments inside your Found account used to earmark money for specific needs—Primary (where deposits land) and Taxes come standard; you can add custom Pockets for Owner Pay, Operating, Projects, or Savings. 
• How many: You can create up to 8 custom Pockets beyond the two defaults. 
• Management: You can rename Pockets any time, set deposit allocations (auto-split incoming funds), and transfer between Pockets. At this time, Pockets can’t be deleted. 
• Cards by Pocket: Create additional virtual debit cards and link each one to a specific Pocket for tighter budgets (e.g., Ads, Travel). 
• Not separate bank accounts: Pockets are internal buckets within your one Found checking account (balances roll up to your total). 

Quick Pocket setup

1. Create Owner Pay, Operating, Taxes, and any big near-term goals. 

2. Set deposit allocations (e.g., 40% Owner Pay / 40% Operating / 20% Taxes). 

3. Issue a virtual card tied to your Ads or Travel Pocket to keep those spends in lane. 

Automations that quietly make you money

• Auto tax set-aside: Every deposit skims your target % into Taxes.
• Rules by merchant: “If merchant = gas station → Vehicle.”
• Recurring invoices: For retainers; polite reminders auto-send.
• Pocket-tied cards: Keep ad spend from bleeding into everything else. 

Cashflow blueprint (simple and effective)

• Route 100% income into Found → auto-split:
• X% Owner Pay (your paycheck cadence),
• Y% Operating (software, supplies, ads),
• Z% Taxes (matched to your estimate).

Decide the percentages once; let the system run.

Taxes: keep it boring (that’s a compliment)

• Real-time estimates help you avoid quarterly surprises.
• Write-offs captured as you go with categories + receipts.
• Quarterlies ready because the tax Pocket is funded.
• Exports for your CPA or filing software at year-end.

(Rules vary by jurisdiction; when in doubt, ask a tax pro.)

Receipts & records: audit-ready by default

• Snap/forward receipts → attach to transactions.
• Add context notes (“client lunch,” “job #144 supplies”).
• Back up monthly exports to cloud storage.

Safety, limits, and good habits

• Security: Authenticator-app 2FA, alerts on, strong password.
• Separation: No personal spending on your business account.
• Documentation: Keep invoices, receipts, and notes inside Found.
• Know the edges: Check app for current limits, ATM policies, and feature availability.

When Found might not be enough

• Multi-entity complexity (LLC + C-Corp + accrual accounting),
• Inventory or payroll at larger scale,
• Deeper integrations than what’s supported.

Solution: keep Found for banking + day-to-day, then export/connect to your accountant’s stack as needed.

Your first-week checklist

Day 1: Open account (Join now) → enable 2FA → connect income.

Day 2: Set tax % → customize categories → add receipts.

Day 3: Send your first invoice; test a small card purchase.

Day 4: Build automations (rules, reminders).

Day 5: Create Pockets + allocations; tie a virtual card to Ads/Travel. 

Day 6–7: Export a sample report; review your cashflow split once.

👉 Ready to start? Get $20 when you spend $100 (offer subject to Found’s terms):
https://found.com/refer/48TNQR

Quick FAQ

• Does Found have hidden fees or minimums?
  Found markets no hidden fees and no minimums; confirm current terms in the app.
• Are Pockets separate accounts?
  No—they’re internal buckets inside your Found checking account; balances roll up to your total. 
• How many Pockets can I create?
  Up to 8 custom Pockets (beyond the default Primary and Taxes). 
• Can I delete a Pocket?
  Not at this time; you can rename Pockets and move funds. 
• Can I issue more cards?
  Yes—create additional virtual cards and link them to specific Pockets. 

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ThinkwithAD – PULSE breaks down real-world playbooks for money, business, mindset, and leadership—urban lens, professional execution. No fluff, just strategy.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, legal, or accounting advice. Features, fees, limits, and availability can change and may vary by region or account type. Review Found’s official terms, help docs, and current offers in-app, and consult qualified professionals for guidance specific to your situation.