Why does an invoice PDF show Tax % instead of the tax amount?
Problem Statement
On a tax-exclusive invoice, the invoice file (PDF) can show a Tax % column on each line instead of the tax as an amount. You see this with Anrok when the lines do not all use the same tax treatment, such as a taxed plan next to a visible zero-value addon or a tax-exempt line.
Related Scenarios
- A zero-value addon stays on the invoice, and the PDF shows Tax % instead of the tax as an amount.
- A tax-exempt line shows 0% beside a taxed line.
- You want each line to show the tax as a currency amount.
Solution
Chargebee builds the invoice PDF from the lines on that invoice. Invoice settings do not include a control that forces every invoice to use Tax % or a tax amount.
With Anrok on a tax-exclusive invoice, Chargebee adds the Tax % column when the lines do not share one tax rate:
- Two or more lines are taxed at different rates.
- At least one line is taxed and another line has no tax applied.
A line marked tax exempt has no tax applied, so Chargebee can show it as 0% next to a taxed line. A price of 0 does not set the tax rate. Chargebee uses the tax setup on that item. When a zero-price line stays visible and is untaxed, or taxed at a different rate, beside a taxed line, the PDF shows Tax %.
When every line is taxed at the same rate, Chargebee shows the tax in the invoice footer and does not add a per-line Tax % column.
| Lines on the tax-exclusive invoice | What the PDF shows |
|---|---|
| Every line is taxed at the same rate | Tax in the invoice footer. No per-line Tax % column. |
| Lines use different tax rates, or a taxed line appears with an untaxed line, and there is no line-item discount | A Tax % column on each line |
| Lines use different tax rates, or a taxed line appears with an untaxed line, and a line-item discount is applied, including a discount of 0 | The tax as an amount in the Tax column, with Discount and Subtotal |
To show the tax as an amount, hide the zero-value line or apply a line-item discount.
Hide zero-value lines to remove the Tax % column
Use this when a visible zero-value addon sits beside a taxed line. The control is Zero value line items under Billing LogIQ. See Hiding zero-value line items.
- Go to Settings > Configure Chargebee > Billing LogIQ > Billing & Invoices.
- Enable Zero value line items.
Zero-value lines are left off the invoice. If the lines that remain are taxed at the same rate, the PDF no longer adds the Tax % column for that mix.
If every line on an invoice is zero-value, Chargebee does not generate that invoice. The setting hides zero-value lines only. It does not hide a priced line whose net becomes 0 because of a coupon.
Apply a line-item discount to show the tax amount
Apply a manual discount to a specific line on a tax-exclusive invoice. The discount can be 0. Under Apply On, choose the line item. A discount applied to the invoice amount does not change this column.
Manual discounts are available on selected plans. See plans and pricing for availability. Enable the feature before you add a discount. After you enable it, you cannot turn it off.
- Go to Settings > Configure Chargebee > Billing LogIQ > Customers & Subscriptions > Manual discounts for quotes & subscriptions.
- Enable Manual discounts for quotes and subscriptions, then click Apply.
- Go to Subscriptions and select the subscription.
- Click Add Manual Discount.
- Select the Discount type and enter 0 as the amount or percentage.
- Under Apply On, select the line item.
- Select the Duration, then click Add.
Chargebee applies the discount to the next invoice. That PDF shows Discount, Subtotal, and the tax as a currency amount in the Tax column, including a zero tax amount on an untaxed or zero-value line.