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Troubleshoot VAT payment issues in QuickBooks Online

by Intuit• Updated about an hour ago

Having trouble with your VAT payment? If you can't delete or deactivate the payment, it might be linked to a bank transaction or be recorded in the old VAT system. Unmatch the bank transaction or edit the original transactions from the old system to fix this.

If the transaction is matched to a bank transaction

If you see the error message "We're sorry, we can't delete filed tax right now. Please try again later." or "We're sorry, we can't deactivate the VAT you selected. Please try again later. Contact support if waiting and trying again doesn't resolve the issue", the transaction may be matched to a bank transaction.

Follow these steps to unmatch the transaction:

  1. Follow this link to complete the steps in product Open this link in a new window
  2. Select the bank account you used to pay for the VAT payment.
  3. Select the Posted tab.
  4. Find the transaction you want to delete. It should be matched to another transaction.
  5. Select Undo to unmatch the transactions.
  6. Go back to the VAT menu and delete the transaction.

If you were using the earlier VAT system and not the VAT centre

If you see the message "This VAT was recorded in the old VAT system. Write a cheque to record a payment for this VAT. Payments recorded via Write cheque will not appear in the recent VAT payments table below", you must edit the original transactions.

You'll need to edit each transaction that's part of the original VAT payable amount:

  1. Find and open each transaction.
  2. Remove the current VAT line item.
  3. Use the VAT items in the transaction.
  4. When you're done, select Save.

Once transactions are re-associated, create a journal entry to move the liability from the new current VAT liability account to the original VAT liability account.

Managing payments from the earlier system

If you've been using QuickBooks Online and paying VAT using the earlier method, you may need to record VAT payments using the earlier method and the Sales Tax Centre for a time.

  • If you have outstanding transactions using the earlier VAT method, record VAT payments the same way you did in the past.
  • Record new VAT payments in the VAT Centre that charge the new rates you set up.