Assign an existing sales tax rate to a tax agency

Let me provide some information about sales tax in QuickBooks Online, @cmoyercpa.

When you go to the Tax agency page, you can only select a Filing frequency. Thus, there isn't an option to assign an existing sales tax to an agency. 

You may consider deactivating your existing tax rates then create a new one to assign a tax agency. 

Here's how: 

1. In the Tax Center, choose Edit Tax.
2. Click Edit Rates.
3. Select the Tax you want to delete/inactive.
4. Under column, click Edit.
5. Select Make Inactive to complete the process. 

To add a tax rate and agency, you may follow these steps:

1. From the left menu, choose Taxes.
2. Under the Related Tasks list on the right, click Add/edit tax rates and agencies.
3. Select New and choose either a single or a combined tax rate.
4. Enter a name for the tax, the agency you pay, and the percentage for the rate. 
5. Once done, click Save.

I've also added this article to learn more about sales tax in QuickBooks Online: Use automated sales tax on an invoice or sales receipt.

Feel at ease to leave a comment below if you have queries about the process. I'll be happy to help you. Have a great day. 

Thanks for the quick response

I'm not sure we are talking about the same thing.  Please see my screenshot.  The only place I can deactivate tax rates is in the products and services list.  I tried making the tax rate inactive and then creating one with same name in sales tax settings, but I get an error when I do that.  I would like to keep the same name I have now because I have some integrations that are dependent on that sales tax rate name

Hello @cmoyercpa,

As of the moment, there isn't an integrated way to edit the agency associated with a tax rate after saving it. Let's consider making the existing rate inactive and create a new one so you can assign it to the correct agency.

Based on your screenshot and I'm assuming you wanted to edit the agency associated with the custom tax rate, right? On the page same with your screenshot, go to the Edit menu for Dutchess County, and select Make inactive.

Once done, you can go ahead and click Add rate. From here, you can create a new sales tax rate and make sure to assign it to the correct agency. Learn more about your sales tax with this article: Turn on Tax Tracking.

Additionally, I've also included this reference for a compilation of articles you can use while working with us: Tax Topics for QuickBooks Online.

If you have any other concerns, please let me know by leaving any comments below. I'll be here to lend a hand.

I'm sorry, that's not it.

The Dutchess County tax rate is correct.  I want to create a tax rate called Columbia County, but I can't.  Please see the screenshot of the error I am receiving.  I assume it is because there is a "service" already in QBO called Columbia County. 

Please see my two screenshots

Thanks

Chris

I appreciate the screenshot that you've shared, @cmoyercpa.

The error that you received will occur if the name that you're trying to use is already associated with an existing tax agency. You can either add an extra character to the name of the new agency or edit the name of the existing one.

Here's how you can edit the tax name:

1. Click on Taxes from the left pane.
2. Choose Edit rates under Edit VAT or Rate. 
3. Look for the tax that needs to be edited and hit on Edit. 
4. Edit the tax agency name.
5. Select on the Save button.

Feel free to scan through this reference for more tips about modifying tax rates in QuickBooks Online: How do I set up sales GST/VAT rates and use them on forms? (International QBO).

Leave a comment below if you have any other QuickBooks questions. I'm always here to help. Have a good day!

Thanks Betty, but that's not what I see.  Please see the screenshot.  I don't think I am on the international version but when I started this thread there were only three options

1) International

2) Quickbooks online - India

3) QuickbooksAcccountant online - India

Hi cmoyercpa, 

Let me share something about sales tax.

First, I can see that you're using the US version of QuickBooks Online and you're in the Global Community. You can change it to the US QuickBooks Community by clicking the flag icon at the top and select the flag of the US.

The service item's name won't affect when setting up custom sales tax rates. I can also see that there's no other tax rate with the name of Columbia County on your screenshot. Let's perform some troubleshooting steps to see if this is due to a browser error.

Let's start by using an incognito window and set it up from there. These are some of the keyboard shortcuts:

• Google Chrome: Ctrl+Shift+N
• Mozilla: Ctrl+Shift+P
• Safari: Command + Shift + N

Also, you'll want to clear the cache since it causes unusual behavior in QuickBooks Online. Lastly, make sure that the browser is updated or use a different one.

If this issue continues, please don't hesitate to reach out to our Customer Support Team so they can further check it. The new "Help" menu interface: 

1. Click the (?) Help icon and choose the Talk to a human option (then type it again when prompted).
2. When asked by the bot, enter Sales Tax Set Up.
3. Select I still need a human, then proceed with Contact us.
4. Tap Let’s talk then choose either Get a call or Start messaging. 

For the old "Help" menu:

1. Click the Help icon, then the Contact Us button.
2. Enter Sales Tax Set Up in the What can we help you with box.
3. Proceed with the Let's talk button.
4. Select either Start messaging or Get a call button.

I added this link for your reference: Set up and use automated sales tax in QuickBooks Online.

Post again here if you need more help. We'll respond as soon as we can.