The tax code (also VAT code or sales tax code) is used for the correct recording, calculation and posting of sales tax in business documents and journal entries in SAP Business One.
Purpose and function:
- Enables the automatic calculation of sales tax (input tax/outgoing tax).
- Controls the posting to the corresponding tax accounts.
- Basis for tax reports and the advance VAT return.
Configuration and definition:
- Care under Administration > Definitions > finance > Tax > Tax code.
- Definition of the tax rate (%) and the associated G/L accounts (sales tax/pre-tax).
- Labelling as input tax or output tax code.
- Extended information for EU/foreign transactions: EU status, domestic/foreign, economic sector.
- Possibility to define validity periods for tax rate changes.
- Option to store cash discount accounts for each tax code.
- Inactive control indicators can be marked and removed from use.
Use in documents:
- Selection in purchasing and sales documents per item line.
- Automatic proposal from the article master or business partner master.
- Use in journal entries for automatic tax posting.
- Option to display the "Tax only" column in vouchers.
Integration with master data:
- Standard tax code in the article master for purchasing and sales.
- In the business partner master data (Accounting > Tax tab): Tax status and Steering group definable.
- VAT numbers required for EU/third country customers, tax-free delivery must be shown.
Tax status and tax groups:
- Tax status determines the tax treatment (domestic, EU, third country).
- Tax groups influence automatic tax code proposals.
- Determination should be made in consultation with the key user or tax consultant.
Relevance for reports and tax returns:
- Tax report shows postings organised by tax code.
- Basis for advance VAT return (e.g. via ELSTER module).
- Tax reconciliation report for debit/credit entries and DATEV-preparation.
Special applications:
- Payment by instalments: Tax distribution on first or all instalments configurable.
- Import sales tax for service vouchers: Use of the "Tax only" field.
- DATEV integration: Tax codes must be mapped with posting keys.
- Automatic control accounts require suitable settings in the standard US. account field.
Important note:
An incorrect definition or allocation of tax codes can lead to incorrect tax calculations and incorrect tax returns. Close coordination with key users, consultants or the tax advisor is strongly recommended.
Summary:
The tax code in SAP Business One is a central control instrument for the correct tax treatment of business transactions. It ensures correct posting, reporting and tax declaration - and is therefore essential for legally compliant financial accounting. The Versino Financial Suite improves the handling and overview of tax codes in SAP Business One through specially customised functions for accounting, more transparency in reports and better integration with tax requirements such as the DATEV interface.
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