You can look up any Costco receipt through 3 methods: the Costco app under Membership → Receipts, your online account at costco.com order history, or by asking at the Membership Counter with your card. The Costco app stores every receipt tied to your membership for 2 years.
This is the full guide to Costco receipt lookup, what every code on your receipt means, how to get receipts for returns and tax purposes, and how to create Costco-formatted receipts using the Costco receipt template.
How to Get Your Costco Receipt — 3 Methods
Method 1: Costco App (Fastest)
The Costco app shows digital copies of every in-warehouse purchase from the last 2 years:
- Open the Costco app on your phone
- Tap Membership at the bottom
- Tap Receipts
- Find the date of your purchase
- Tap to view the full itemized receipt
This works for any purchase made with your Costco card scanned at checkout. The app shows the same itemized breakdown as the paper receipt: items, prices, tax codes, payment method, and TC (Transaction Code) number. You can share or save the receipt as PDF directly from the app.
Method 2: Costco.com Online Account
For online orders, your receipts live in your Costco.com account:
- Sign in at costco.com
- Click Orders & Returns
- Find the order
- Click Print Order Detail for a receipt-style printout
Online order history goes back further than the app — typically 5+ years. The PDF includes order number, items, taxes, shipping, and payment method. Similar to finding Amazon order receipts, the link in the order confirmation email also opens the receipt page directly.
Method 3: Membership Counter (In-Warehouse)
Lost your paper receipt and do not use the app? Visit the Membership Counter at any Costco warehouse:
- Bring your Costco membership card
- Provide the approximate date of purchase
- An employee can reprint receipts from the last 2 years
This works even if you bought at a different Costco warehouse. The system is linked across all locations. They cannot reprint receipts from before your current membership renewal cycle for non-members or expired memberships.
How to Read a Costco Receipt — Every Code Explained
Costco receipts use letter codes to identify tax categories and item types. Knowing these helps with returns, expense tracking, and verifying your purchase.
Costco Receipt Tax Codes
| Code | Meaning | Example Items |
|---|---|---|
| A | Taxable (standard rate) | Electronics, clothing, general merchandise |
| E | Eligible for SNAP/EBT | Most groceries and unprepared food |
| F | Food (non-taxable) | Basic groceries in most states |
| N | Non-taxable | Out-of-state shipping, certain services |
| T | Taxable (lower rate) | Specific items at reduced tax in some states |
| Y | Taxable (prepared food) | Hot rotisserie chicken, food court items |
| Z | Taxable (alcohol/tobacco) | Alcohol, cigarettes in states that allow Costco sales |
Code meanings vary by state because state sales tax laws differ. A code F item in California might be coded differently in Texas. The codes above reflect the most common assignments across Costcos 600+ U.S. warehouses.
Costco Receipt Identifier Codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| TC# | Transaction Code — 23-digit unique purchase identifier |
| Whs | Warehouse number (which Costco location) |
| Trm | Terminal number (which register) |
| Trn | Transaction number for that day |
| OP | Operator (cashier) ID |
| MBR | Member number (your Costco membership) |
| Item# | 6-digit Costco item number (different from UPC) |
The TC number is the most important identifier. Costco employees use it for returns, exchanges, and customer service inquiries. Keep this number — it is the fastest way to look up any specific transaction. Compare this format with what other retailers like Walmart use on their receipts.
Costco Digital Receipt — How It Works
Costco automatically generates a digital receipt for every purchase made with your membership card scanned. You do not need to do anything special at checkout.
How to Enable Costco Digital Receipts
Digital receipts work by default. To make sure they save to your app:
- Download the Costco app and sign in
- Make sure your membership card number is linked to your account
- At checkout, present your card (physical or digital) for scanning
- The receipt appears in the app within minutes
Costco E-Receipt vs Paper Receipt
Both contain the same information. The advantage of the digital version is that it does not fade and is searchable by date, amount, or item. Thermal paper Costco receipts typically fade within 6-12 months. Digital copies last as long as your membership is active.
| Feature | Paper Receipt | Digital Receipt |
|---|---|---|
| Fade resistance | 6-12 months | Permanent (in app) |
| Searchable | No | Yes (by date/amount) |
| Sharable | Photocopy only | Email/save as PDF |
| Accepted for returns | Yes | Yes |
| Accepted for tax records | Yes | Yes (per IRS rules) |
Costco Receipt Template — What is On Every Receipt
A standard Costco receipt has 11 sections. Knowing the layout helps with returns, expense reports, and creating accurate grocery receipt templates:
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Header | "Costco Wholesale" logo, warehouse address, phone |
| Member info | MBR# (member number), member name |
| Transaction info | Date, time, Whs#, Trm#, Trn#, OP# |
| Items | Item number (6-digit), description, price, tax code |
| Subtotal | Pre-tax total of all items |
| Tax breakdown | Sales tax by code (A, T, etc.) with rate |
| Total | Final amount charged |
| Payment | Method (cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, debit), last 4 digits |
| Change | Cash back amount (if any) |
| TC number | 23-digit transaction code (used for returns) |
| Savings summary | Member-exclusive savings, instant rebates |
If you need to recreate a Costco receipt format, the Costco receipt template on ReceiptEdit covers every field. Similar templates exist for Walmart, Target, and other warehouse and grocery stores.
Costco Receipt Generator — Create Receipts Online
The receipt generator creates Costco-formatted receipts with:
- Standard Costco layout including warehouse number, terminal, and TC code
- Member number field and member name
- Item lines with 6-digit Costco item numbers
- Tax code letters (A, E, F, T, Y, Z)
- Member savings line
- PDF or PNG download
For business documentation needs different from a Costco-style receipt, use the invoice generator. The difference between the two is covered in our receipt vs invoice guide.
Costco Return Policy — What You Need to Know
Costcos Lifetime Return Policy
Costco has one of the most generous return policies in retail. Most items can be returned anytime with no time limit. Exceptions:
| Category | Return Window |
|---|---|
| Electronics, computers, cameras | 90 days from purchase |
| Major appliances | 90 days from delivery |
| Cell phones | 90 days from activation |
| Diamonds 1ct or larger | Within 48 hours for credit, longer with appraisal |
| Cigarettes and alcohol | Refund only where law permits |
| Custom-configured items | Not returnable except for defects |
| Almost everything else | No time limit |
Returns Without a Costco Receipt
Lost your receipt? Costco can still process most returns because every purchase is tied to your membership:
- Show your membership card. The Membership Counter can look up your purchase history and verify the item.
- Show the digital receipt from the app. Same as paper for return purposes.
- No receipt and no membership lookup possible: Returns require a Costco employee to verify the item came from Costco. Refund issued as store credit at the lowest selling price.
Costco Receipt for Taxes and Business Use
Tax Deduction Documentation
The IRS accepts Costco receipts (paper or digital) as documentation for deductible business expenses. The receipt shows date, vendor, items, and amount — all four IRS requirements. Save the PDF version from the app or the printed copy from your file.
FSA/HSA Reimbursement
For FSA-eligible items bought at Costco (OTC medications, first aid supplies, contact lens solution, etc.), use the itemized receipt from the app. The line-by-line breakdown shows the eligible items separately. FSA administrators reject receipts that only show "Costco Wholesale" and a total. Browse pharmacy receipt templates if you need supplemental medical receipt documentation.
Expense Reports
Most corporate expense systems accept Costco app receipts directly. Open the receipt in the app, tap Share, and email or upload to Concur/Expensify/etc. The PDF includes everything finance teams need to verify the expense.
Costco Gas Receipt — Special Case
Costco gas station receipts work differently from in-warehouse receipts:
- Gas receipts print at the pump if you choose "Yes" for receipt
- They are NOT automatically added to your Costco app
- To get a copy after the fact: visit the Membership Counter or call your local warehouse
- For tax mileage logs, keep the receipt or use a digital backup via phone photo
For business mileage tracking, the standard mileage deduction (67 cents/mile in 2026) does not require gas receipts. You only need them if using the actual expense method. See our IRS receipt requirements guide for details on which method to use.
FAQs About Costco Receipts
How do I look up an old Costco receipt online?
For in-warehouse purchases, open the Costco app, tap Membership, then Receipts. The app shows up to 2 years of purchase history. For online orders, sign into costco.com and click Orders & Returns. Online history goes back 5+ years. If the receipt is not in the app, visit the Membership Counter at any Costco with your card.
What does the E code mean on a Costco receipt?
The E code on a Costco receipt means the item is eligible for SNAP/EBT food benefits. It indicates the item qualifies as a basic food product under federal food assistance program rules. E-coded items are typically unprepared groceries, snacks, and beverages (excluding alcohol and hot prepared foods).
How long does Costco keep receipt records?
The Costco app shows 2 years of in-warehouse purchase history. Online order history at costco.com goes back further (typically 5+ years). The Membership Counter can typically look up purchases from the past 2-3 years, sometimes longer depending on system access. Paper receipts on thermal paper fade within 6-12 months.
Can I get a Costco receipt without my card?
Not easily. Costco receipts are tied to your membership number. Without your card or a way to look up your membership, the Membership Counter cannot retrieve your receipt. If you have your Costco app installed and signed in, you can show the digital receipt without the physical card. For non-members who lost a receipt from a members purchase, the member needs to retrieve it.
Are digital receipts from the Costco app accepted by the IRS?
Yes. The IRS accepts digital receipts (Revenue Procedure 97-22) provided they are clear, complete, and accessible. The Costco app receipt shows all required information: date, vendor (Costco Wholesale), items purchased, and amount. Save the PDF to your tax records. The Costco apps exported PDF meets all IRS documentation standards.
How do I print a Costco receipt from the app?
Open the Costco app, tap Membership → Receipts, select the receipt, tap the Share icon, and choose Print. The receipt opens in your phone browser print preview. You can print directly to a connected printer or save as PDF. On iPhone, choose "Print" from the Share menu. On Android, tap the three-dot menu and select Print.
What is the TC number on a Costco receipt?
The TC (Transaction Code) number is a 23-digit unique identifier printed at the bottom of every Costco receipt. It identifies the specific purchase across Costcos entire system. Membership Counter employees use it for returns, exchanges, and lookups. It is the single most important number on a Costco receipt — keep it if you might need to return anything.
Can I return to Costco without a receipt?
Yes. Costco can look up purchases by your membership number. Bring your membership card to the Membership Counter. They will find the transaction in the system and process the return. If they cannot find the record (for cash purchases without membership scan), they will typically issue store credit at the lowest selling price. Costcos lifetime return policy makes them more flexible than most retailers on lost-receipt returns.
