Northbeam Bookkeeping & Consulting


Seattle/King, Pierce, Snohomish Sales Tax Rate Increase on 04/01/2017

February 24, 2017

"Effective April 1, 2017, sales and use tax within the City of Seattle will increase one-half of one percent (.005). The tax will be used for transportation services." -- Washington DOR (This transit tax increase applies to cities in Snohomish, King, and Pierce counties).

To update the Sales Tax: Make the change before creating any invoices or sales receipts dated 4/1/17 or later.
In QuickBooks (Desktop version, aka QBDT), go to the Lists menu and select "Item List". Find your Seattle Sales Tax item (type should be "Sales Tax Item", NOT "Sales Tax Group") for Location Code 1726 and right-click to edit/change it to 3.6%. Confirm that your Sales Tax Group for Seattle is 10.1%.

In QuickBooks Online, click Taxes on the left, then Sales Tax, then click Add/Edit tax rates and agencies. For each local tax, click on it and press Edit to change the rate.

- Please call us if you'd like help making this change.

 

Avoiding Data Entry Using .qbo (Web Connect)

December 9, 2015
Did you know that you can import statement/transaction data directly into QuickBooks (they call it "Direct Connect")?
You can, IF your bank allows this. Some charge additional fees, or only allow this for "Business" accounts.

I'm happy that my credit union (BECU) offers this option at no additional charge for both personal and business accounts.
If yours doesn't, there are a couple great options to convert your bank statement into QuickBooks-ready import data:

First, look at what download format...
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What we've been reading

May 23, 2015
A couple of good books, if you're looking for some inspiration (or a kick in the pants to get you out of a rut):

A More Beautiful Question, by Warren Berger
It was an impulse grab at the library. "…Because, whereas people are more likely to ignore or challenge you when you come at them with answers, they almost can't resist advising or helping you to answer a great question."

Small Message, Big Impact: The Elevator Speech Effect, by Terri Sjodin
Help organize your thoughts and be ready the next...
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QuickBooks Direct Connect for BECU Credit Cards

August 19, 2014
You may have been surprised to find that QuickBooks will not recognize your Credit Card QBO import (whether using Direct Connect/Bank Feeds) or Importing a Web Connect file downloaded from your bank. This happens with my BECU Visa.

Solution 1 (not good!): in your chart of accounts, change the credit card account to "Other Current Liability". Now you can download/import transactions from the bank, but you can no longer use the "Enter Credit Card Charges" in QuickBooks.

Solution 2 (better):
  1. Downl...

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Northbeam Bookkeeping & Consulting


Beth Mattern and Ron Arant Serving West Seattle and surrounding areas
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(206) 619-5617 / info@northbeam.com