Why am I getting an error message when creating an expense. It says validation failed, QuickBooks encountered error while calculating tax.

Hello and welcome to the Community, dscelectrical-ma

We're aware of an earlier issue with missing data (including categories) on the app which may be tied to the issue that you're experiencing.

To fix, please try deleting the app and then reinstalling this to the latest version available in your app store. Please get back in touch below with details of your device-type (iOS or Android) if you are still seeing either issue after this. Thank you. :)

Hello thanks for your reply. My categories are back which is good however I’m still getting the same error message when trying to create the expense from the receipt.

I’m working on Apple devices, I get the same error message on iPhone and iPad and both apps are updated.

Thanks

Thanks for trying those steps, dscelectrical-ma. I'm pleased to hear it's fixed one of the issues. 

So that we can escalate the error when creating expenses using receipt snap to our higher support team, please see and reply to the email sent today. We'll continue to work with you through email until fully resolved. Thank you. 

we are getting the same error can i please get assitance :)

I appreciate you bringing this matter to our attention, calderaflower. Let's take some troubleshooting steps to ensure you can create an expense.

We've been getting similar reports from customers encountering an error message on iOS saying, "Validation failed. We're sorry, QuickBooks encountered an error while calculating tax. Try reselecting the tax rate or reentering the product/service item and saving the form again."

If you're using iOS, ensure that your app is updated. Once verified, we need to refresh or clear your app's data. This process will help eliminate any issues caused by outdated or corrupted data, ensuring the program runs smoothly.

To clear your app data using IOS, please follow these steps:

1. Open your iPad settings.
2. Click General, then Select iPhone Storage.
3. Choose QuickBooks from the list of applications.
4. Hit Offload App to free up its storage without removing the documents and data for the app.

If you're using the Android mobile app, ensure it's updated. Then, here's how you can clear your app data:

1. Open your phone's settings. Click Apps.
2. Select the QuickBooks app from the list.
3. Hit Storage, then tap the Clear Data button.

If the issue persists, uninstall and reinstall the application to start afresh.

In the meantime, you can consider uploading your receipts and creating an expense using your web browser to help you move forward.

For future use, you can conveniently use your mobile device to take pictures of your receipts and then upload them for record-keeping and tracking purposes.

Now, you can actively work on your tasks after following the troubleshooting steps and workaround provided. Feel free to add follow-up questions below. I'm still here to help, calderaflower. 

Your fixes don’t work. Did all of them. Still don’t work. Need some solutions. Every week there’s a bug with QB

None of your suggestions bring any sort of fix to this. The app still has a glitch after doing all the steps with an iPhone. I get this can be done on the desktop but paying customers use the app for a reason.. 

It's great to see that using the mobile app brings you the convenience and easy access you seek, Lou111. Since you've already performed all the necessary troubleshooting steps, let's direct you to our live support.

As I've checked our system, I found an ongoing investigation regarding the inability to create an expense from the receipt. With this, I recommend contacting our care support. This way, they can add you as one of the affected users. Afterward, you'll receive an email update regarding the status of this investigation.

Here's how to connect with them:

1. In your QBO account, select Help (?).
2. Choose the Search tab. You can also directly select Contact Us.
3. At the bottom of your screen, click Contact Us.  
4. Type your concern. Then click Continue.
5. You can Callback, Appointment, or Chat to connect with us.
6. Kindly fill out the provided fields, such as your First name, Last name, Email address, and Phone number.
7. Depending on what you choose as your way to connect with us, click Callback, Schedule an appointment, or Chat.

As a workaround, it's best to open a web browser and then open your QuickBooks Online (QBO) account. From there, you can create an expense from your receipt snap.

To know the available hours of our support, you can access this article: QuickBooks Online Support.

You can still ask us or share some updates anytime you have further information after contacting one of our support. Rest assured that we're still around to hear you out.

Getting this same error message, tried reinstalling etc etc nothing works. Thinking about changing accounting apps because every week it seems something else happens to QuickBooks 

Getting the same message, deleting and reinstalling app doesn’t work 

Hello, @Parmac. Let me help you create an expense in QuickBooks Online (QBO) using your mobile. 

Since we have received multiple reports of an error occurring when creating an expense using the mobile app, I'd recommend reaching out to our Customer Care Team. They can add you to the list of affected users and provide updates on the progress.
 

Here's how:

1. Log in to your QBO account.
2. Choose Help (?).
3. Select a way to connect with us:

• Start a chat with a support.
• Get a callback from the next available expert.

In addition, to help you manage your transactions in your mobile app, check out this guide: Categorise bank transactions in QuickBooks Online app.

If you have other concerns with your QBO mobile app features, please let us know by replying below. We're always here to help. Have a good one.

Exact same issue. Need to get off QB ASAP! 

Tracking expenses in QBO is valuable for managing cash flow effectively and I'm here to share info about the issue, @ROBO3.

Upon checking, I've found out that there's an ongoing investigation about creating an expense from a bill when using the QBO app on an iOS device. Our engineers are actively working to address the issue to resolve it promptly.

If you haven't already, I recommend contacting our phone support. They can add you to the list of affected users and notify you by email once the problem is fixed. Here's how to get in touch with them:

1. Go to Help (?).
2. Use QB Assistant to enter your query or question.
3. In Search, click Contact Us to connect with a live support agent.
4. Choose a way to connect with us:
   • Start a chat with a support expert. Live chat all day, M-F.
   • Call us. M-F, 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and S-S, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Do you want to know how much you're paying each supplier on a monthly basis? To find out, you can run the Expenses by Supplier Summary report in QuickBooks.

If you have any follow-up questions about creating expenses, share them in this thread. I'm always here to help you.

Hi I’m getting the same issue on iPhone have tried all your steps and still not wotking

Thank you for joining the thread, Martinc1980, and I appreciate the steps you've taken.

We've received similar reports about the issue, and we thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.

There's currently an ongoing investigation (INV-107538) regarding the validation failed error when creating an expense entry in the QuickBooks Mobile App (iOS). While we work on resolving this, you can access your QBO using other supported browsers to track and manage your expenses.

I recommend contacting our support so they can add you to the list of affected users and provide updates about the investigation status via email.

Here's how:

1. Go to Help.
2. Select Search.
3. Click the Contact Us button and enter your concern.
4. Press Continue. 

You can check our support hours by visiting this article: QuickBooks Online Support.

I'll include this article to learn which QuickBooks Online app features are supported on mobile devices: Compare mobile app features.

Furthermore, here's an article that could help you manage and organize your products and services and provide helpful insights when you run reports in QuickBooks Online: Group products and services into different categories in QuickBooks Online.

Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated as we strive to resolve this issue. If you require further assistance with managing your expense categories or anything else, please reply below, and I'll make sure to assist you promptly.

I’m having the same issue, I last used the app on July 1st to enter receipts and now I’m getting the validation failed msg as well.

I’ve also deleted the app, restarted my phone (iPhone) and redownloaded app. Still getting the error msg.

I notice that when I take a photo of my receipt through the app it doesn’t highlight the receipt and automatically take the photo like it used to but still inputs the receipt information correctly.

Hi JakeJ95 Thanks for reaching out to us. Have you updated your iPhone to the latest version of IOS?

I have same problem with both my companies !! I try all steps like delete the app and also off load data and none help .. i have iphone15pro and all updates r up to date ! Please resolve quick or i will take my accounts to somewhere else .. i pay you to the app shut run smooth

thx 

I commend you for performing the troubleshooting steps, and I know how precious time is for you, Lucas.

We've received similar reports regarding the validation failed error when creating an expense entry in the QuickBooks Mobile App (iOS). While we work on resolving this, I suggest managing your expenses using your device's browser. You may also want to use other supported browsers in QBO.

Moreover, I recommend contacting our support so they can add you to the list of affected users and provide updates about the investigation status via email.

Here's how:

1. Sign in to your QuickBooks Online company.
2. Click Help and navigate to the Search tab.
3. Select Contact Us to connect with a live support agent.
   
4. You can choose to Start a chat or Call us.

Moreover, you can view our support hours in this article: QuickBooks Online Support.

Discover which features of the QBO mobile app are compatible with your mobile devices in this article: Compare Mobile App Features.

Finally, here's an article that contains insights to help you manage your products and services in QBO: Group products and services into different categories in QuickBooks Online.

We appreciate your patience as we work to resolve this issue. If you need further assistance managing your expense categories or anything else in QBO, please reply below, and I'll help you promptly.

You keep giving this reply QuickBooks, not all of us are near a computer or laptop to use the desktop version, the reason I got QuickBooks was for the snap receipt function so I could record expenses while on site etc, I do hope this is resolved soon iits been about 3 weeks now 🤬🤬

I am facing exact same issue. 
it used to work, please fix this from the app asap

These guys are crooks, keep raising prices, won’t give a discount and something is always wrong. Last time, chart of accounts wouldn’t show and now receipt snap doesn’t work. After taking time to follow their prompt here, I phoned them and their response was “we are investigating and should have an answer by July 21”. They wouldn’t even comp the days that were not able to use the app with full capabilities. Their competitors are growing, and some have free ad-supported versions. Everyone should look to get off their platform as soon as possible. That will show them that they are not valuing their customers. 

You guys are crooks! How are you charging us ridiculous fees and won’t even discount the days we are not able to use the app with full functions?!?