Download PayPal transactions into CSV file
Use the ProperConvert app to convert your transaction files to required by your accounting software file format.
If you are using PayPal to receive or send payments, then during a tax preparation time, you would need to extract transactions from PayPal system and import into your accounting software. Some software can communicate directly with PayPal, and if it is not, you need to export transactions first and then convert to a format compatible with your accounting software.
The best format to export from PayPal is the CSV format. It has all transaction details including splits like fees and taxes. If you need to convert to a format supporting splits (QIF, IIF), the ProperConvert app can map splits automatically.
Export PayPal transactions
Downloading PayPal transactions is not a straightforward option. This tutorial shows how to export PayPal transactions ready for bookkeeping or import into accounting software with seven simple steps.
When you login into your PayPal Account with your email address, click on the 'Reports' button.
Then click on 'Activity download'.
You have to select 'Transaction type' - ' Balance affecting'. This will include direct payments from PayPal and credit card or bank account (direct debit) payments.
Then set a 'Date range' you need to download transaction history for.
And then you need to select a CSV format.
Click on the 'Create Report' button. And then you'll see a new line created here.
Click 'Download' to download a CSV file with the Transaction history.
Extract from PayPal as a CSV file
Paypal used to have easy to access "paypal account history" report, but not anymore. If you need to download your paypal purchases to do your taxes, follow this short tutorial.
Downloading PayPal transactions is not a straightforward option:
- Th export function is under "Reports"
- Make sure to set "balance affecting" transaction type
- Set the output format as CSV
Step 1: Open PayPal Reports
When you login into your PayPal Account, click on the Reports button.
Step 2: Select "Activity download" (My Activity history)
Click on the "Activity download" on the left sidebar.
Step 3: Select "Balance affecting" transaction type (purchase history)
You have to select 'Transaction type' - ' Balance affecting'.
Step 4: Set the date range to download transactions
Then set a 'Date range' you need to download transactions for.
Step 5: Select the output format as CSV
And then you need to select a CSV format.
Step 6: Create the report and download
Click on the 'Create Report' button. And then you'll see a new line created here.
Step 7: Download the CSV file
Click 'Download' to download a CSV file.
Use the ProperConvert app to convert your transaction files to required by your accounting software file format.
Converting PayPal CSV
CSV files from PayPal should be mapped automatically by default. Please send the file you are trying to convert (you can leave the header and few lines from the file, the whole file is not required).
PayPal files usually have a net amount, gross and fee amounts, and when QIF and IIF formats support splits, QBO/QFX/OFX/MT940 files do not support splits. can create separate transactions for gross and fee amounts, which is what users are usually looking for.
If you have a manual mapping applied, select [auto]. You should see split1 (gross), split2 (fee) columns filled. For non-zero fees and output formats not supporting splits (OFX, QFX, QBO, MT940) the app will create a separate transaction on the QBO/OFX/QFX file, which you can assign to a separate expense account in Quickbooks/Xero/Quicken.
INTU.BID value for QBO files (PayPal bank is not listed)
Quickbooks imports QBO files into a PayPal account, but INTU.BID for PayPal is not listed. Use any other allowed INTU.BID value for the QBO file and import into a PayPal Account.
Paypal transactions can be imported:
- in Quickbooks as a QBO file with INTU.BID value set for another bank label with splits transactions as separate transactions for each split
Import the QBO file into Quickbooks and select the existing PayPal account during import. Once the QBO file is imported, go to Bank Feeds Center and review transactions under the bank label bank chosen for INTU.BID value and add transactions to the PayPal account register.