Managing automated filing with Shopify Tax

Early access

Automated tax filing is in early access, and is available only to certain merchants in the United States.

Automated filing is free to use until the end of the early access period on December 31, 2024. Starting on January 1, 2025, a fee is charged for every return generated by automated filing. For stores on the Basic, Shopify, and Advanced plans, the fee is $75 USD per return generated. For stores on the Plus plan, the fee is $50 USD per return generated.

Caution

This guide is for informational purposes only, and isn't intended to replace professional tax advice. Tax laws change frequently. If you have further questions about your tax returns, then you should contact local tax authorities or a tax professional. It's your responsibility to consult with tax authorities or tax professionals to ensure that you file and remit your taxes correctly.

After your account details and state tax returns are set up, you can monitor your tax returns on the Tax filing page in your Shopify admin. This page displays a list of tax returns that have been set up to file automatically, along with the return's status and supplementary information. To learn more about the information provided on this dashboard, refer to the following table.

Information provided by the automated filing dashboard

Heading	Definition
Tax returns	The tax return, as identified by the tax form used for the return.
Status	The status of the tax return. Not started: Returns that are set up but haven't yet been started for the current filing period. Open for review: Returns that are prepared and can be reviewed. Tax returns are open for review from the 1st to the 6th day of the month. Returns that are open for review don't require approval, and are scheduled to be filed on the 7th day of the month. Action required: Returns that can't be filed due to an issue that prevents Shopify Tax from filing. If an issue is resolved between the 1st and 6th of the month, then the return is filed on time. If the issue is resolved after the 6th, then the return might not be filed on time. If you can't resolve an issue with a return, you can skip the return and file the return yourself. Skipping a return can't be undone. Scheduled: Returns that are queued for filing. Scheduled returns can't be edited or skipped. Filed: Returns that have been submitted to the relevant tax authority. Not filed: Returns that weren't filed due to unresolved issues. Skipped: Returns that weren't filed due to being skipped.
Sales period	The period for which the tax return is submitted. The date range varies depending on whether the return is monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually.
Sales	The total sales that were made during the period for which the tax return is submitted.
Taxable sales	The total taxable sales that were made during the period for which the tax return is submitted.
Tax due	The tax that's due to the relevant tax authority. This amount is withdrawn from the account that you specified during your account setup. Ensure that the specified funds are present in the account when the return enters Scheduled status, because the exact date that the funds are withdrawn might vary. Pre-payments for the amount of tax due isn't available.

Review a tax return

1. From the Shopify admin, go to Finance > Tax filing.
2. Click the tax return that you want to review.
3. Review the summary of the tax return.
4. Optional: Click the icon in the Documents section to download a copy of the return.

Skip a tax return

If there are issues with your return and you need to file the return yourself, then you can skip filing at any time before the 7th of the month. On the 7th, the return is scheduled for filing and can't be skipped.

Skipping can't be undone. If you skip filing, then you must file your tax return yourself.

Steps:

1. From the Shopify admin, go to Finance > Tax filing.
2. Click the tax return that you want to skip.
3. Click the Skip filing button.

Edit a tax return

If you need to update your tax returns, then you can do so any time before the 7th of the month. On the 7th, the return is scheduled for filing and can't be edited.

Steps:

1. From the Shopify admin, go to Finance > Tax filing.
2. Click the tax return that you want to edit.
3. Click the pencil icon in the Details section, and then select Edit.
4. Make any necessary changes, and then click Save.

Delete a tax return

If you need to delete a tax return, then you can do so any time before the 7th of the month. On the 7th, the return is scheduled for filing and can't be edited.

Steps:

1. From the Shopify admin, go to Finance > Tax filing.
2. Click the tax return that you want to edit.
3. Click the pencil icon in the Details section, and then select Delete.