Learn how to set up where you collect sales tax so you can track your sales tax automatically in QuickBooks Online.
QuickBooks Online keeps track of your province's tax laws to accurately calculate sales tax and returns. All you need to do is tell QuickBooks where you collect sales tax. If you charge sales tax outside of your province, you can add other tax agencies you pay. Here’s how.
| Note: This article is for automated sales tax (AST) users. If you still use manual sales tax, check if you can now switch to AST. If you don’t have the option to switch, don’t worry. It should be available to you soon. |
Note: In your next invoice or sales receipt, QuickBooks will automatically use your business address as the sale location. If you need to, you can always change the location on the transaction.
Add a new tax agency
Do this if you need to charge sales tax for your out-of-province transactions.
- Go to Taxes and select Sales tax (Take me there).
- Select Manage sales tax.
- Select Add tax.
- Select Add next to Start tracking in a new province option and follow the prompts to complete set up. This option will automatically set up any new agencies necessary (such as new PST agencies) and the most common codes for that province/territory.
- Select the province or territory from the dropdown. (Tip: Only provinces that you haven't yet set up will be listed)
- Select your next tax period start month, then Filing Frequency ▼ dropdown.
- Select Reporting Method, then enter your PST number.
- Select Add.
In the Tax agencies tab, you can now see the new tax agency you have just created.
Frequently asked questions
What if the tax agency I wish to add not listed?
If you have already set up a tax agency for a province that collects the GST, you will not see options for the following:
• Alberta
• Northwest Territories
• Nunavut
• Yukon
Each of these collect only the GST, because it is accounted for in the agency you have already set up. Any relevant GST will be filed with the tax agency you've already set up.