A cancelled check is a check that has been paid by the bank. After the money is deducted from your checking account, the bank will "cancel" the check, so it can no longer be used. Back in the old days before modern computer systems, bank actually mailed cancelled checks back to you every month with your bank statement. Now banks don't do that because of the shipping and processing costs. Instead, banks usually print copies of the canceled checks on the back of each bank statement. It is still possible to get physical copies of your cancelled checks by calling your bank and working it out with them. Most companies keep a copy of their cancelled checks on file if they aren't printed on the companies' bank statements. These physical cancelled checks provide proof of payment and evidence of expenses.