How do I configure multiple tax rates for my catalogue?
If your product catalogue includes items subject to different VAT rates (for example, 20%, 10%, or 5.5% in France), you need to apply tax overrides using manual collections in Shopify.
What's a tax override?
A tax override in Shopify lets you apply a specific VAT rate (for example, 5.5% instead of the standard 20%) to a defined group of products.
You do this by:
Creating a manual collection
Assigning products to that collection
Applying a tax override to that collection
Important: you can't use automatic collections for tax overrides. Only manual collections work.
Step-by-step: configure multiple tax rates in your Shopify store
1. Create a manual collection for the tax rate
In Shopify admin, go to Products → Collections
Click Create collection
Under Collection type, select Manual
Give it a clear name, such as:
TVA 5.5%
TVA 10%
Reduced VAT 5.5%
Optional: hide the collection from sales channels
Under Collection availability, click Manage
Uncheck any channels where you don't want the collection to be publicly visible
The tax override still applies even when the collection is hidden
Click Save
2. Add products to the collection
Once you've created the collection:
Option A: add multiple products
Inside the collection, click Browse
Select the products that should have this VAT rate
Click Done
Option B: add products individually
Go to Products → All products
Open the product
In the Collections section, add it to the right manual collection
Make sure Charge tax on this product is enabled, if that applies
3. Apply the tax override
Go to Settings → Taxes and duties → European Union
In Tax rates and exemptions → Product overrides, click Add override
Configure:
Destination zone: France
Collection: select the manual collection you created
Custom tax rate: enter the correct VAT percentage (e.g., 5.5%, 10%)
Click Save
Verify that taxes apply correctly
Create a test order with a product from the collection.
During checkout, Shopify should automatically apply the tax rate you set in the override.
What happens if you don't configure taxes correctly in Shopify?
If you operate in France and use Comply for NF525-compliant POS operations, correct VAT configuration matters.
Under NF525, your POS system must ensure:
Accuracy of tax calculations
Integrity of transaction data
Traceability of applied VAT rates
If you configure VAT rates incorrectly in Shopify:
Your receipts may show incorrect VAT rates
Tax breakdowns may be inaccurate
Your NF525-compliant fiscal archives may contain incorrect VAT data
You may generate non-compliant accounting records
If the French tax authorities audit you, incorrect VAT configuration could:
Create discrepancies between reported VAT and collected VAT
Require corrective accounting entries
Create compliance risks
📌 You're responsible for making sure the VAT rates you apply in Shopify reflect the correct legal rate for each product category.
If you're not sure which VAT rate applies to your products (20%, 10%, 5.5%, or exemptions), consult your accountant or tax advisor before you configure tax overrides.