Updating VAT in Sage Pastel

Updating VAT in Sage Pastel

Overview

This is for anyone using Sage Pastel to update the VAT rate to a new rate (e.g. 15% to 15.5% as of January 1st updated by ZIMRA). 

Step-by-step Guide

Step 1: Open Your Company

  1. Launch Sage Pastel.
  2. Open the company where you want to change the tax rates.

Step 2: Go to the Tax Setup Screen

  1. On the top menu, click Setup.
  2. Select Tax, then click General Settings.
This opens the VAT/tax configuration.

Step 3: Update the Tax Percentage

  1. Go to the Percentages tab.
  2. Look for the tax type you want to update (e.g., Tax Type 01, Tax Type 15, etc.)
  3. Click on the Percentage field.
  4. Change the percentage to the new VAT rate.
    1. For example, Change 15% → 15.5%.

Step 4: Update Each Tax Code (If Needed)

Depending on your Pastel version, you may need to update tax codes individually.
  1. While still in Setup → Tax, click Tax Types / Tax Codes
  2. Go through the following:
  3. Input VAT Codes (usually codes starting with 14, 15)
  4. Output VAT Codes (1–10)
  5. Update the Tax% Rate for each tax code that should use the new rate.
  6. Don’t change “No Tax” codes like 00 or 02.

Step 5: Save

  1. Click OK or Save to apply changes.

Step 6: Verify changes in Fiscal Harmony

With your Pastel still open:
  1. Open your Fiscal Harmony Plugin for Sage Pastel
    1. If it is open, please exit it and reopen it to ensure it uses updated settings.
  2. Click on the Setup button on the left to open the file sttings.
  3. With the menu open, click "Test Connection" to verify if your tax is connected to Fiscal Harmony. Make sure you have an internet connection.
  4. When the connection has been verified, close the window.

Step 7: Update Tax settings on Plugin

With your plugin still open:
  1. Click on the Tax Mapping button to open the Tax Mappings menu. This will display all your tax mappings to update.
  2. Click on the dropdown for the Tax Name and select the one you set up earlier for the new VAT tax rate.
  3. Click on the dropdown for the Tax Rate and select the one you want to use (for example, choosing Standard Rate 15.5% for the 15.5% tax rate).
  4. Click "Save" to save the mapping for that tax rate. It should show a new item in the table below.
  5. Once all of this is done, you may close the menu and test any invoice on the table shown on the plugin window. Click "Retry" if there are any failed invoices before this setup.

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