Synder Summary Sync allows you to post daily or payout-based summaries to QuickBooks, saving you time and simplifying reconciliation. But when it comes to tracking sales taxes, things can get a bit more nuanced, especially since US and non-US versions of QuickBooks handle taxes differently.
This guide walks you through how to configure Synder Summary Sync to properly track sales tax in both US and non-US QuickBooks accounts. It also explains what you’ll see in your books and what to watch out for.
Overview:
- How sales tax tracking works in Synder Summary sync
- For non-US QuickBooks (Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, etc.)
- For US QuickBooks
How sales tax tracking works in Synder Summary sync
Tax tracking and reporting are staple features of QuickBooks Online. While configuring it in Synder’s Per-Transaction mode is usually seamless—with built-in Smart Rules and flexible settings—setting it up in the Summary Sync mode takes a bit more configuration.
Let’s break it down by QuickBooks country version.
For non-US QuickBooks (Canada, UK, Australia, New Zealand, etc.)
There are two ways to configure sales tax tracking in Synder Summary Sync for non-US QuickBooks accounts:
- Tax tracking enabled – Synder applies tax codes to lines in the journal entry. This allows QuickBooks to include these amounts in tax reports, making compliance and reconciliation much easier.
- Tax tracking disabled – Synder still records the total tax amount in your journal entry, but does not apply tax codes. These amounts won’t appear in QuickBooks tax reports but will still be reflected on your Balance Sheet under the appropriate liability account.
Let’s go over both approaches below.
When tax tracking is enabled
When tax tracking is enabled, Synder applies tax codes directly to journal entry lines. This ensures that tax amounts are recognized in QuickBooks tax reports and mapped to the correct categories. A few extra steps are needed for the setup.
How to set it up
- Go to Settings > Mapping.
- Scroll down to Tax codes, turn the toggle ON, and assign a default zero-rated tax code.
- Go to the Mapping tab. You’ll now see the Tax code selector in each Sales Tax Payable line. This pulls tax codes directly from your QuickBooks.
Note: f something is missing, ensure the tax code is created in QuickBooks. - If you collect sales tax across multiple states, you can either enable Group by region or use the Groups feature for more granular mapping. Please refer to this guide for step-by-step instructions on how to set up mapping groups.
- Change the Category to your preferred account—just avoid system-generated tax liability accounts like “GST/HST Payable.” QuickBooks does not allow tax codes on these, and using them can cause sync errors.
- After saving the changes, return to your Summaries list and resync the summaries you want to update. Synder will sync them using the updated mapping.
What you’ll see in the Journal Entry
To better understand how this works, let’s look at an example based on a Shopify order:
- Item total: $146.00 CAD
- Tax (GST 5%): $7.30 CAD
- Order total: $153.30 CAD
With tax tracking enabled, Synder creates Sales Tax Clearing lines with tax codes applied.
To calculate the taxable sales amount, Synder divides the sales tax amount by the tax rate and multiplies by 100: 7.30 × 100 / 5 = 146
This gives us the taxable portion Synder uses when building the journal entry. Here’s how that would look in QuickBooks:
These two Sales Tax Clearing lines cancel each other out but retain the tax code. Your income total stays the same, and the tax shows up correctly in your Tax Summary report.
You’ll also see the effect on your balance sheet, where tax amounts appear under the appropriate liability or clearing account.
When tax tracking is disabled
If you choose not to enable tax tracking in Summary Sync, Synder will still include the total tax amount in the journal entry.
However, since no tax codes are applied:
- The entry won’t be included in QuickBooks’ tax reports (like the Tax Summary).
- Synder posts the tax amount directly to a Sales Tax Payable (liability) account.
- Your balance sheet will still reflect the correct tax owed.
For US QuickBooks
Since QuickBooks Online US does not support tax codes in journal entries, Synder handles sales tax by posting it directly to Sales Tax Payable liability accounts.
If you collect tax across multiple states, you can either enable Group by region or use the Groups feature for more granular mapping, for example, by each ZIP code, by city or by customer. Please refer to this guide for step-by-step instructions on how to set up mapping groups.
If you opt to just enable Group by region in the mapping tab, follow steps below:
- Go to the Mapping tab.
- Enable Group by region.
- For each state, assign a dedicated liability account. Synder uses the shipping address from each transaction to apply the correct region.
You may encounter:
- “Unknown” – Missing or unrecognized state/country information
- “N/A” – No shipping address is available(e.g., for adjustments)
Note: Grouping by region will also group by region Sales, Refunds, Shipping income, etc. .
Since in our example two states appeared in the mapping, the journal entry reflects the tax liabilities correctly split per state (California: $10.46, Louisiana: $49.55).
And these same tax amounts then appear on the balance sheet under “Other Current Liabilities”, categorized under the correct state-specific payable accounts.
And that’s it!
Now you know how to configure tax tracking in Synder Summary Sync for both US and non-US QuickBooks accounts. Whether you’re applying tax codes or mapping by region, you’ll be able to ensure your tax data is reflected accurately in your books, making reconciliation and reporting much easier.
Reach out to Synder Team via online support chat, phone, or email with any questions you have – we’re always happy to help you!