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<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Navigation: MLS 2026 Installation and System Setup > System Information Setup > Setup Values > Taxable Services and Rates |
The Taxes and Rates setup controls many of the core calculations used throughout MLS 2026. These settings affect:
•Workorders
•Invoices
•Estimates
•Inventory pricing
•Labor calculations
•Profit protection
•Shop supply assessments
•System numbering
Because these values directly affect customer billing and accounting operations, they should be configured carefully before daily processing begins.
Most shops are required to charge sales tax on certain services, parts, or supplies. MLS 2026 allows you to define the default tax behavior used throughout the system.
Each taxable category includes:
•A Taxable flag (Y or N)
•A Tax Percentage field
Enter tax percentages as whole numbers:
•8.75 means 8.75%
•NOT 0.0875
If a category is not taxable:
•Set the percentage to 0.00
•Or disable the taxable flag
The setup values provide the default starting behavior only.
Tax will NOT be charged if:
•The inventory item is marked non-taxable
•OR the client account is marked non-taxable
This layered structure provides flexibility for:
•Wholesale accounts
•Government agencies
•Non-profit organizations
•Tax-exempt services
•Special inventory items
Always verify your local tax requirements with your accountant or tax authority.
MLS 2026 includes Default Labor Rates used during workorder creation.
This is normally your standard hourly labor charge.
However:
•Rates may be changed during workorder processing
•Multiple labor rates may be maintained
•Special clients may receive custom pricing
•Premium services may use higher rates
The system includes five standard labor pricing levels tied to the Labor Rate flag assigned to each client account.
Examples might include:
•Retail
•Fleet
•Warranty
•Wholesale
•Preferred Customer
Additional custom rates may also be selected directly on workorders when needed.
MLS 2026 can help protect profitability by enforcing minimum margins on:
•Parts
•Labor
•Sublets
Enter the minimum desired margin percentage for each category.
Again, use whole numbers:
•35 means 35%
•NOT 0.35
When pricing falls below the required margin:
•The system alerts the operator
•Displays the actual margin
•Allows automatic adjustment to the desired percentage
This feature helps prevent:
•Accidental underpricing
•Data entry mistakes
•Loss-producing sales
If you do not wish to use Margin Protection:
•Set all margin percentages to 0.00
Some shops charge small fees for:
•Shop supplies
•Hazardous waste disposal
•Environmental recovery
•Incidental consumable materials
MLS 2026 allows these assessments to be calculated automatically.
You may specify:
•Percentage applied to parts
•Percentage applied to labor
•Maximum charge allowed per workorder
Example:
•3% assessment
•Maximum $5.00 charge
If you do not use assessments:
•Set all values to 0.00
Some states regulate:
•Shop supply fees
•Environmental fees
•Hazardous waste charges
Certain jurisdictions require these items to be specifically itemized.
Always verify local legal requirements before enabling automatic assessments.
MLS 2026 automatically assigns sequential numbers to:
•Client accounts
•Workorders
•Receivable accounts
•Vendors
•Other internal records
New installations normally begin at:
1
However, you may specify different starting numbers if:
•Transitioning from another system
•Continuing previous numbering sequences
•Matching existing accounting procedures
In most cases, the default values are acceptable.
Invoices may print totals using one of two formats:
Totals display in a column on the right side of the invoice.
Totals display using horizontal lines and require less print space.
Neither format provides an operational advantage. The selection is simply based on:
•Shop preference
•Invoice appearance
•Printing style
Choose the format that best fits your workflow and printed presentation.