Software: Reckon Accounts 2015
In the earlier version of Reckon QuickBooks (now know as Reckon Accounts), users managed the GST on the imported goods, which was usually paid on behalf by the forwarder, via an Enter Bill transaction. Two entry lines were used when recording an import GST bill from the forwarder. The first entry line will be the taxable amount with an appropriate GST code and another line with a negative taxable amount without any tax code or a non-taxable tax code associated. This will give a net tax paid on behalf.
Assume the taxable amount is 1000.00 and the tax is 70.00, the double entry of the bill is:
Debit COGS 1000.00
Debit Tax Payable 70.00
Credit COGS 1000.00
Credit Accounts Payable 70.00
However, in the newer version of Reckon Accounts (2015), this method seems no longer usable when involving a foreign currency. A Credit Note has to be used to less off the taxable amount from the bill instead of entering a negative value in an Enter Bill transactions. That is, use an Enter Bill for the taxable amount with an appropriate GST, then follow by a Credit Note to write off the taxable amount.
Based on the above example, the double entry of the bill is:
Debit COGS 1000.00
Debit Tax Payable 70.00
Credit Accounts Payable 1070.00
And the double entry of the Credit Note is:
Debit Accounts Payable 1000.00
Credit COGS 1000.00
The net effect of the bill and the credit note are the tax and an Accounts Payable of 70.00.
We tested the above on a foreign currency transaction, do let us know if the base currency transaction has a similar issue.