How To Fix >0289 - Formal error: False withholding tax category &1 for indicator '**'

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: >0 - General Basis texts

• Message number: 289

• Message text: Formal error: False withholding tax category &1 for indicator '**'

Self-Explanatory Message

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Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message >0289 - Formal error: False withholding tax category &1 for indicator '**' ?

  The SAP error message 0289 indicates a formal error related to the withholding tax category. Specifically, it states that there is a "False withholding tax category" for a given indicator. This error typically arises when the system encounters an invalid or incorrect withholding tax category during the processing of a transaction.
  Cause:
  
  Incorrect Configuration: The withholding tax category may not be properly configured in the system. This could be due to missing entries in the configuration tables or incorrect settings.
  Invalid Tax Code: The tax code being used may not correspond to a valid withholding tax category.
  Master Data Issues: The vendor or customer master data may have an incorrect withholding tax category assigned.
  Data Entry Errors: There may be a typo or incorrect entry in the transaction data that is causing the system to look for a non-existent withholding tax category.
  
  Solution:
  
  
  Check Configuration:
  
  Go to the configuration settings for withholding tax in SAP (Transaction Code: SPRO).
  Navigate to Financial Accounting (New) > Accounts Payable > Withholding Tax > Withholding Tax Types and ensure that the withholding tax categories are correctly defined.
  
  
  
  Verify Tax Codes:
  
  Check the tax codes being used in the transaction. Ensure that they are correctly linked to the appropriate withholding tax categories.
  
  
  
  Review Master Data:
  
  Check the vendor or customer master data (Transaction Codes: XK03 for vendors, XD03 for customers) to ensure that the correct withholding tax category is assigned.
  If necessary, update the master data with the correct withholding tax category.
  
  
  
  Correct Transaction Data:
  
  Review the transaction that triggered the error. Look for any incorrect entries related to withholding tax and correct them.
  
  
  
  Consult Documentation:
  
  If you are unsure about the correct withholding tax categories or configurations, refer to SAP documentation or consult with your SAP support team.
  
  
  
  Related Information:
  
  Transaction Codes: 
  
  SPRO (to access configuration settings)
  XK03 (to view vendor master data)
  XD03 (to view customer master data)
  
  
  SAP Notes: Check for any relevant SAP Notes that may address this specific error or provide additional guidance.
  Testing: After making changes, perform a test transaction to ensure that the error no longer occurs.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and implement the necessary corrections to resolve it.