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GUnion
August 19, 2021
Solved

Why Can't I add a negative sales tax adjustment?

  • August 19, 2021
  • 3 replies
  • 0 views

Someone needs to fix this. The Sales Tax Center won't accept a negative number for a Sales Tax Adjustment, leading to having to Journal the sales tax liability account, and even after that the Sales Tax center donesn't recognize the adjustment. This is a stupid bug.

 

 

    Best answer by BigRedConsulting

    @GUnion

    RE: The Sales Tax Center won't accept a negative number for a Sales Tax Adjustment

    I think it will: You can't enter the negative amount, but you can pick a category that creates a negative adjustment / that reduces your tax.

     

    RE: This is a constant problem because most jurisdictions allow for an early payment discount, which lowers the amount due, thus necessitating a negative adjustment.

     

    Here's how to enter a discount:

    - Pick Credit / Discount and then enter the discount amount, as a positive number:

     



    After adding the credit (entering a positive number), it reduces the tax:

     

     

     

    3 replies

    M
    Maybelle_S
    August 19, 2021

    I'm here to help apply the sales tax adjustment, @GUnion.

     

    In QuickBooks Online (QBO), let's create the account first for the adjustment before applying it.

     

    Here's how:

     

    1. Go to Accounting from the left menu.

    2. Select Chart of Accounts then hit New.

    3. Choose Income from the Account Type drop-down. 

    4. Pick the account’s Detail Type.

    5. Name your adjustment account.

    6. Click Save and Close.

     

    After that, let's go to the Sales Tax section to add an adjustment. Let me show you how.

     

    1. Go to Taxes from the left menu, then select the Sales Tax tab.

    2. Locate the tax period you need to adjust and hit View return.

    3. Click Add an adjustment.

    4. Enter a Reason for the adjustment.

    5. Choose the Account for adjusting sales tax, then enter the amount.

    6. Click Add.

     

    For complete directions, check out this article: Create Or Delete A Sales Tax Adjustment. 

     

    Once done, run your Sales Tax Liability report to review the taxes you owe and why you owe them. Just go to the Reports or Taxes menu to complete this task.

     

    However, if the issue persists, it's possible that piled-up cache in your regular browser caused this unusual behavior. You can clear your current browser’s cache to resolve this.

     

    Try using a private browser when adding sales tax adjustment. If it works, proceed and clear the cache in the one that you're currently using.

     

    Here’s how to go incognito or use a private browser:

     

    • For Google Chrome browser: Ctrl + Shift + N

    • For Mozilla Firefox browser: Ctrl + Shift + P

    • For Safari browser: Command + Option + P

     

    Check this link for the steps clearing your browser's cache: Clear cache and cookies to fix issues when using QuickBooks Online.

     

    You can also use other browsers like Chrome, Safari, Edge, and the like if the steps above didn’t work.

     

    I've also added some pages about handling tax rates and other relevant topics:

     

    • Learn how QuickBooks Online calculates sales tax

    • Use automated sales tax on an invoice or sales receipt

     

    If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with me again. I'll be right here to help you further. Have a nice day!

    G
    GUnionAuthor
    August 19, 2021

    Thank you for trying - the problem is, only positive adjustments can be made. For example, I can adjust to ADD an amount ($1.00), but cannot adjust to SUBTRACT an amount (-$1.00). This is a constant problem because most jurisdictions allow for an early payment discount, which lowers the amount due, thus necessitating a negative adjustment.

     

      BigRedConsulting
      BigRedConsultingAnswer
      August 21, 2021

      @GUnion

      RE: The Sales Tax Center won't accept a negative number for a Sales Tax Adjustment

      I think it will: You can't enter the negative amount, but you can pick a category that creates a negative adjustment / that reduces your tax.

       

      RE: This is a constant problem because most jurisdictions allow for an early payment discount, which lowers the amount due, thus necessitating a negative adjustment.

       

      Here's how to enter a discount:

      - Pick Credit / Discount and then enter the discount amount, as a positive number:

       



      After adding the credit (entering a positive number), it reduces the tax:

       

       

       

        G
        GUnionAuthor
        August 21, 2021

        I will try that, thanks

         

        T
        TeleToast
        July 19, 2024

        4 Years later and still this same problem. This is so quickbooks! I went through their steps and now the "reason" drop down box turns red and won't let me any further. Can't even get to the amount - negative or otherwise, to see if it will work. Every single thing I try to do in quickbooks is like this. I can't get a single thing done. For every hour I spend actually doing something, I spend 5 hours fighting stupid things and their "improvements" like this.

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