From a pile of transactions to one number you can act on
Clearway is a loop, not a chore: bring transactions in, spend a few minutes confirming what they are, and your tax number stays current. Here's each step in real detail.
Bring in your transactions
Two ways in — pick whichever you're comfortable with:
- Upload a CSV. Every bank lets you download transactions as a CSV file. Drop it into Clearway and we map the columns for you — date, description, amount. Works with any bank, no connection required. Available on the free plan.
- Connect an account. On the paid plan, you can link checking, savings, and credit card accounts through a dedicated connection provider. You sign in on the provider's page — Clearway never sees or stores your bank password, and access is read-only. New transactions flow in automatically.
Either way, your original imported data is never overwritten. If you correct something later, Clearway keeps the correction as a new version so there's always a trail.
Import transactions
chase-checking-june.csv
143 transactions found · columns matched automatically
Review — a few minutes, in plain English
New transactions land in a review inbox. For each one, Clearway suggests two things: whether it's personal or business, and a simple category like "supplies" or "groceries" — never accountant-speak.
- Confident suggestions get one-tap confirm. Your Verizon bill looks the same every month; you shouldn't have to think about it twice.
- Uncertain ones are marked "Needs your input." A Home Depot run could be a personal project or job supplies — Clearway asks instead of guessing. It never silently finalizes something it isn't sure about.
- Fix once, it learns. Correct a merchant and Clearway offers to make it a rule — "always mark Chevron as business fuel" — so next month's review is shorter than this month's.
- Receipts attach right on the transaction. Snap or upload — no separate documents section to maintain.
Review inbox
4 need your inputKnow what to save
Every review updates your tax estimate. It sits at the top of your home screen, always answering the same two questions: roughly what will I owe, and how much of that have I already covered?
- Shown as a range, not false precision. Early in the year, or with income still unreviewed, the honest answer is a range. It narrows as your data fills in.
- Every change is explained. "You added $1,180 of freelance income, so the estimate went up $265." No mystery jumps.
- Quarterly payment guidance. If you're expected to pay estimated taxes, Clearway shows the upcoming IRS deadline and a suggested amount based on your numbers so far.
- A reserve goal you can actually hit. Set aside a bit each month and watch the "covered" bar close the gap — you move the money in your own bank; Clearway just keeps score.
Estimated 2026 federal tax so far
Likely range $4,420 – $5,300 · calculated Jul 18
Next estimated payment: Sep 15 · suggested $1,210
What's an estimate, and what isn't
What you can count on
- The math is deterministic and versioned — the same inputs always produce the same number, and our calculation rules are reviewed by a CPA before release.
- Every estimate shows its calculation date and the assumptions behind it — click any number to see the transactions underneath.
- When it's time to file, you can export a clean "preparer package" — categorized income and expenses your tax preparer or tax software can work from directly.
What we won't pretend
Your real tax bill depends on things Clearway may not see — other household income, life changes, credits you may qualify for, and your state's rules. So:
- Estimates are estimates — never a guaranteed refund or bill, and expenses "may qualify" as deductions rather than being promised ones.
- Clearway doesn't file your taxes and isn't a substitute for a tax professional — it makes the conversation with one much faster.
- The estimate covers federal self-employment and income tax today; state estimates are on the roadmap and clearly marked as not yet included.
Try the loop with your own numbers
Three quick questions, one CSV, and you'll see your first estimate — usually in under five minutes.
Start freeNo card required. Cancel anytime. Estimates only — not tax advice.