FF712 - Specify tax codes everywhere or enter '**'

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: FF - FI Function Module Messages

• Message number: 712

• Message text: Specify tax codes everywhere or enter '**'

What causes this issue?

A tax code was specified in some of the receivable/payable line items,
and in others it was left as '**' or not entered at all. Furthermore,
there are receivable/payable line items in the document that do not
have a discount base amount. This amount should therefore be determined
by the system (even if the cash discount rate 1 is zero).
This will cause problems when the system assigns the receivable/payable
line items to the individual offsetting entries that are relevant for
cash discount.

System Response

The system issues an error message and will not allow you to continue with this transaction until the error is resolved.

How to fix this error?

Enter your receivable/payable line items consistently by either
specifying '**' (or no entry) as the tax code in all the line items or
entering an explicit tax code in every line item.
If you cannot enter them consistently - for example, because some of
the reconciliation accounts are tax-relevant and others are not, which
means that a code cannot be specified in every item - you have to make
an explicit entry in the "Discount base" field in every
receivable/payable line item (the entry may have to be zero).

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message FF712 - Specify tax codes everywhere or enter '**' ?

  The SAP error message FF712, which states "Specify tax codes everywhere or enter ''," typically occurs in the context of financial transactions, particularly when dealing with tax codes in the SAP system. This error indicates that the system requires tax codes to be specified for all relevant line items in a transaction, or that a wildcard ('') should be used to indicate that the tax code is not applicable.
  Cause:
  
  Missing Tax Codes: The most common cause of this error is that one or more line items in a financial document (like an invoice or payment) do not have a tax code specified.
  Incorrect Configuration: The system may be configured to require tax codes for certain types of transactions, and if these are not provided, the error will be triggered.
  Use of Wildcard: If the transaction is meant to be exempt from tax or if the tax code is not applicable, the system expects the user to enter '**' as a wildcard to indicate this.
  
  Solution:
  
  Specify Tax Codes: Review the line items in the transaction and ensure that a valid tax code is specified for each item. This can usually be done in the transaction screen where the financial document is being created or modified.
  Use Wildcard: If applicable, enter '**' in the tax code field for line items that do not require a tax code. This tells the system that no tax code is needed for those items.
  Check Configuration: If you believe that tax codes should not be mandatory for your transactions, consult with your SAP administrator or financial team to review the configuration settings related to tax codes in your SAP system.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific guidance on tax code requirements in your version of SAP.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: This error can occur in various transaction codes related to financial postings, such as FB60 (Invoice), FB70 (Customer Invoice), or F-02 (General Posting).
  Tax Code Configuration: Tax codes are typically configured in the SAP system under the Financial Accounting (FI) module. You may need to check the configuration settings in transaction code OB40 (Define Tax Codes) or similar.
  User Roles and Permissions: Ensure that the user has the necessary permissions to enter or modify tax codes in the system.
  
  If the issue persists after following these steps, it may be beneficial to consult with your SAP support team or a consultant who specializes in SAP Financial Accounting.