Applying exemption certificates to a CSV upload
2min read
When you upload transactions by CSV, each exempt transaction needs its customer's certificate ID in the ExemptionCertificateID column. If that column is blank or holds the wrong ID, the transaction is taxed.
Before you start
The customer's exemption certificate must already exist in TaxCloud. If it doesn't, see How to add an exemption certificate to TaxCloud. Then come back here.
Two IDs, two purposes
| ID | What it is | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Customer ID | The ID from your own system, entered when the certificate was created. It links the certificate to that customer. | CustomerID column |
| Certificate ID | A unique ID (UUID) TaxCloud assigns when the certificate is saved. | ExemptionCertificateID column |
These are different values. Using the customer ID in the ExemptionCertificateID column is one of the common reasons exempt sales are taxed.
Steps
- Find each certificate ID. Go to Settings > Exemption Certificates, locate the customer's certificate, and copy its certificate ID. Account Owner or Admin access is required.
- Open your CSV upload template. Find the
ExemptionCertificateIDcolumn. - Enter the certificate ID on every exempt client row. For each row belonging to that customer, paste the certificate ID, not the customer ID. Rows for non-exempt customers stay blank.
- Upload the file. Follow Uploading transactions via CSV as usual.
- Check the result. In the Upload Center, open the three-dot menu on your upload and select View Uploaded Transactions. Confirm that exempt orders show no tax.
Please be sure that you have added the exemption certificate data into your TaxCloud portal and to the CSV upload to avoid exempt clients getting taxed.