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May 13, 2020
Question

Create an invoice with proper Quebec tax in QuickBooks Desktop (and +)

  • May 13, 2020
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views

Hi everyone,

 

I've been using QB since 2002 and a lot has changed since then, and I am stumped...

 

I am trying to replicate an invoice form I have been using since 2002, using the codes available in the Layout Designer (in the Desktop 2020 Pro version), and the taxes part is not working the way I want. In Quebec, the forms need to be in French (the language of 99% of my customers anyway) and I cannot get the taxes to show in French even if I have modified all tax items and such. I do not want both TPS and TVQ combined, I want them to be shown separately in their respective line. I'm partial in using the Data field for Sales Tax Summary, but... the resulting box is too big, and... I have discovered another hurdle... my PST rate is piggy backed, and shows as 9.5% instread of 9.975%. It seems I cannot get the taxes NOT to piggy back and use the 9.975% when applying both taxes. A solution would be to have each tax to show on separate lines...

 

So... how can I solve this?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

PS - are there any templates I can download for the QB2020 Desktop Pro that are in French or for Quebec?

 

 

So... what do I do?

1 reply

May 13, 2020

Hello again, Mouselette,

 

I appreciate wanting to use the same style and format of invoice that you've been using for years in the newest version of the QuickBooks Desktop software. I want to make sure you're able to see the options you're looking for that are within QuickBooks Desktop's current capabilities.

 

For that reason, I recommend getting in touch with support outside of community to work side-by-side with an agent who can use tools such as a screen share session to see what you're seeing to get a better sense of what you're looking for on your forms and what you've done so far. They'll also be able to help you sort out what's happening with your PST codes to make sure things are recording properly. I have a few things that I can go over with you here before getting you the details for contacting support.

 

As we've discussed previously, QuickBooks Desktop is an English-only program. What we discussed in the thread How to change/switch display language in Quickbooks Desktop? From English to French is still true at this time.

 

Since the language settings are such an important feature to you, I encourage you to consider QuickBooks Online. This version of QuickBooks is available in both English and French, and offers multi-lingual invoicing, which allows you to communicate with your customers in their preferred language. The multi-lingual invoices aren't fully translated yet, but we're continuing to develop this feature. Feel free to check out the links below to learn more.

In order to have any sort of French language input in QuickBooks Desktop, it would mean manually inputting these details. I'll use the sales tax codes as an example. When you configure the sales tax codes through the Sales Tax Centre, the program will automatically set them up in English since that's the language the program uses. To have the codes appear in French, you can consider setting them up as custom codes. Here's an article that can help: How to set up sales tax in QuickBooks Desktop

 

On the topic of sales tax codes as well, when you use the built-in tax codes, you'll see a breakdown of the figures right in the Sales Tax Summary section as you've mentioned. I can see how that section might be a bit bigger than what you need on your forms, so I recommend working with the template customization options to see what adjustments you can make to shrink it. Here's our article about template customization: Use and customize form templates

 

To get a hand with any of this and work with an agent who can help you try to match your previous form setup, take a look at the Intuit QuickBooks Desktop software support policies page. This outlines support options and other important details. Please note that due to reduced staffing in response to the global pandemic that Desktop support hours have been reduced to Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. ET regardless of which product you're using.

 

We're here to guide you through the product features to get on track with managing your books. Have a great day!

May 13, 2020

Dear Laura,

 

Thank you so much for being there for me. I really appreciate your kind help, and will get in touch with the support people you've mentioned sometimes in the week.

 

As for going to the Online version, right now, it is not an option for us at this point as I don't always have access to the cloud. Some of the geographic areas I have to be don't have either Internet or Cellphone coverage - thereby the need to have the Desktop version.

 

As for my invoice form, I'll have to use what's there for now, and forgo some of the French details. It's sad because it worked so well before, and for so many years...

 

I'll let you know what came out of it :-)

 

Thanks again!

May 13, 2020

A follow-up of what you're able to work out with support would be awesome. That way others who might be in your situation will know what they could try as well. It's a great option for supporting each other and building the QuickBooks community.

 

As for going to QuickBooks Online, it totally makes sense why that might not be an option for you right now. Reading your reasoning, I feel like I may have suggested Online to you before and you told me this. If so, that's my mistake for not remembering!

 

Wishing you the best.