Timelines for automated filing with Shopify Tax

After your account details and state tax returns are set up, your taxes are filed automatically according to the tax return timeline. If your return is labeled Action required, then refer to the timeline for resolving issues with your tax return.

Tax return timeline

Refer to the following table for more information on the timeline for automated tax returns.

Timeline of return status and available actions.
Timeline statusDate rangeDetailsAvailable actions
Filing period hasn't startedA filing period after the current filing period.Any filing period that occurs after the last day of the current filing period. This includes the first two days on the month of the filing period. Skip automated filing.
Open for reviewFrom the 3rd to the 8th day of the month of the filing period.The period when summaries of your tax returns are completed and ready for review.
ScheduledFrom the 9th to the last day of the month of the filing period.The period when returns are filed and payments remitted.No actions available.
Filing period has endedThe last day of the month of the filing period.The period when the filing period has ended and returns have been submitted. Successful returns are labeled Filed, and returns that were skipped or weren't filed as a result of unresolved issues are labeled Not filed.Changes to your business details or return setup.

Resolving issues with your tax returns

To resolve issues with your tax returns, review and edit the tax return. Any updates to your business details or to your return setup must be made by the 8th of the month at 11:59 pm PT to guarantee that returns are filed on time.

Updating business details

Your business details include the following information:

  • business name
  • business address
  • employer identification number (EIN), federal employment identification number (FEIN), or social security number (SSN)

If your business details aren't entered into automated filing exactly as they are on your DOR account, then automated filing isn't able to access your account. Your return is listed as Action required on the dashboard. Refer to the timeline for resolving issues with your tax return for more information.

Updating return setup

Your return setup includes the following information:

  • return form name
  • return form frequency
  • sales tax ID
  • login credentials for your DOR account

Changes that you make to your return setup after the 6th of the month are reflected in the next filing period.

Timeline for resolving issues

If your tax return is labeled Action needed, then your return can't be submitted until errors are corrected. At any time during the filing period, you can skip the return to file the return manually, or resolve the issue with your tax return to submit your return with automated filing. Refer to the following table to determine whether you should resolve the issue or skip filing and file your return manually.

Timeline of returns with action needed.
Date rangeDetails
1st to 2nd day of the month

This period occurs on the first two days of the month.

During the first two days of the month, the review period for your return has not yet started. If you're aware of issues that might prevent you from filing, then make updates as needed before the 3rd to prevent the Action needed status on your return.
3rd to 8th day of the month

This period occurs from the 3rd day of the month to 11:59 pm PT on the 8th day of the month.

If all issues related to a return are resolved within this period, then your return is guaranteed to be submitted on time.
9th day of the month to 6 days before the end of the month

This period occurs from the 9th day of the month to 6 days before the last day of the month. During this period, returns are filed and payments are remitted.

If issues related to a return are resolved during this period, then your return isn't guaranteed to be submitted on time.
6 days before the end of the month to the end of the month

This period occurs from 6 days before the end of the month to the end of the month.

If issues related to a return are resolved fewer than 6 days before the end of this period, then your return won't be submitted on time. Consider skipping automated filing and filing your tax return manually.
After the last day of the monthThis period occurs after the last day of the month, after returns have been submitted. If the issues with a return were not resolved, then the status of the return changes from Action needed to Not filed. File your return manually, and ensure that the issue with the return is resolved so that you can use automatic filing in the next filing period.

Filing discounts and penalties

Many states offer discounts for filing your sales taxes early or on time. You're eligible for these discounts when you use automated filing. For more details, check with the relevant state tax authority.

All states charge penalties for filing your sales taxes late. For more details, check with the relevant state tax authority.

When you use automated filing, all eligible returns are submitted during the filing period, even those that might be late. If you're not able to resolve an issue with a return before the 7th day of the month, then your return might be submitted late. If a return might be late, then consider skipping automated filing and file your tax return manually. Refer to the timeline for resolving issues for more details.

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