FAQ

About KhataOS

What is KhataOS? Free, open source accounting software that keeps your books in a file on your own device, and works offline. It is built for the keyboard, and many of its shortcuts work the same way as in TallyPrime, so TallyPrime users can switch to it easily. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and builds for Android and iOS.

Is it ready for my real books? Not yet. KhataOS is in alpha. Try it on a test company, and keep your real books where they are until it's out of alpha.

What does it cost? Nothing. It is free software under the GNU Affero General Public License (AGPL-3.0-or-later): you can use, study, change and share it.

Is it made by Tally Solutions, or a copy of Tally? No. KhataOS is an independent project. It reproduces the behaviour Tally users rely on, such as the keys and the workflow. It doesn't copy Tally's code, text, help pages, graphics or branding: KhataOS's screens are its own design, while the menu and function key arrangement follow the keyboard conventions Tally users know. It imports data through Tally's published XML export.

Which countries does it support? India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and the UK are the launch markets. Germany, France, the Netherlands, Spain, the US and Mexico are also in the app, and are less mature. See the country pages.

Which languages? English and Arabic, with a full right to left layout (Ctrl+K). See Arabic.

Your data

Where are my books? In one .khata file per company, on your device. The home screen shows its path. See Backup.

Does anything go to the internet? Only what you choose: syncing through a relay or server, connections to e-invoice and tax portals that you set up, and crash reports you review and send yourself.

Can someone read my books on the relay? No. Entries are encrypted on your computer before they're sent, and the relay only stores the sealed entries. See Sharing.

Is the company file encrypted? No. The company file on your disk isn't encrypted (accountant files are). Protect it like any other business file, and use your device's disk encryption.

How do I back up? Press Alt+Y (the Data menu), then Backup. KhataOS checks every backup before it says it worked, and backs up automatically when the company closes and once a day. See Backup.

Can I edit or delete history? You can alter, cancel and delete vouchers, but every change is kept in the audit trail, which can't be switched off or edited. This is what Indian rules require (Companies (Accounts) Rule 3(1)).

Coming from Tally

Will my Tally keys work? Most of the everyday ones do: the home menu letters, F4 to F9, Ctrl+A, Alt+G, F2, Alt+F2, Ctrl+H, Alt+X and more. Some are reserved but not built yet. See Coming from Tally and the key reference.

Can I import my Tally data? Yes: masters and vouchers from Tally's XML export, including bill-wise details and opening bills, party GSTIN and state, tax ledgers and custom voucher types. Cost centres, stock vouchers and payroll don't come across yet. See Import from Tally.

Can I keep using Tally alongside? Yes. KhataOS doesn't change your Tally data. Import into a test company and compare.

Is there payroll? Orders? Cost centres? Not yet. See what isn't there yet and the roadmap.

Tax and compliance

Does KhataOS file my returns? In most countries, no: it prepares the return figures and the files, and you file them. Saudi Arabia's ZATCA e-invoicing works against ZATCA's sandbox, and the UK MTD submission is built but tested only against our own test server. Check the status on each country page.

Can I trust the tax figures? They are a preparation aid. Check them with your accountant before you file. If you find a wrong tax rule, report it with the official source.

Why can't I change the company's country? The country sets the currency, financial year and tax rules for all the books, so it's set once. Create a new company for another country.

Using it

Do I need a mouse? No. Every action has a key. The mouse and touch work too.

Does it work on a Mac? Yes. Ctrl is the Control key and Alt is Option, and function keys need fn. See Keyboard.

Can several people work on the same books? Yes: over the office network, through the relay, or with accountant files. See Sharing.

Can I open two companies at once? Not yet. One company is open at a time; F3 goes back to the company list.

Can I email or WhatsApp an invoice? Not yet. Save the PDF (Ctrl+E, PDF) and send it yourself.

Where do I report a bug? On GitHub, or in the app: Alt+G, "report a problem". See Troubleshooting.

How can I help? Try it and tell us what's wrong, check tax rules for your country, translate, or write code. See Contributing.