How To Fix 5M538 - Wrong exemption amount key &1. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 or 9 were expected

SAP Error Message - Details

• Message type: E = Error

• Message class: 5M - Error Messages for Denmark

• Message number: 538

• Message text: Wrong exemption amount key &1. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 or 9 were expected

What causes this issue?

The exemption amount key is stored in this data record. It defines
whether the record applies to a weekly wage earner, 14-day wage earner,
monthly wage earner, and so on. Altogether, there are five exemption
amount keys: 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. The file contains the exemption amount
key <(>&<)>1, which the system does not recognize.

System Response

No tax infotype data was stored.

How to fix this error?

Create an error message stating that that the file for creating tax
data records contains incorrect tax periods.

Procedure for System Administrators

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

Error message extract from SAP system. Copyright SAP SE.

Smart SAP Assistant

• What is the cause and solution for SAP error message 5M538 - Wrong exemption amount key &1. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 or 9 were expected ?

  The SAP error message 5M538 indicates that there is an issue with the exemption amount key in a transaction related to tax calculations. This error typically arises when the system expects a specific exemption amount key (1, 2, 3, 4, 8, or 9) but receives an invalid or unexpected value instead.
  Cause:
  
  Incorrect Exemption Key: The exemption amount key provided in the transaction does not match the expected values. This could be due to manual entry errors or incorrect data being pulled from a master record.
  Configuration Issues: The tax configuration in the system may not be set up correctly, leading to the system not recognizing the exemption key.
  Data Migration Issues: If data has been migrated from another system, there may be inconsistencies in the exemption keys used.
  
  Solution:
  
  Check the Exemption Key: Review the transaction where the error occurred and verify the exemption amount key being used. Ensure it is one of the expected values (1, 2, 3, 4, 8, or 9).
  Correct the Data: If the exemption key is incorrect, update it to one of the valid keys. This may involve correcting the entry in the transaction or updating the master data.
  Review Configuration: If the issue persists, check the tax configuration settings in the SAP system. Ensure that the exemption keys are correctly defined and mapped in the system.
  Consult Documentation: Refer to SAP documentation or help resources for specific details on how exemption keys are defined and used in your version of SAP.
  Contact Support: If you are unable to resolve the issue, consider reaching out to your SAP support team or consulting with an SAP expert for further assistance.
  
  Related Information:
  
  Exemption Amount Keys: These keys are used to categorize different types of tax exemptions. Understanding the business rules around these keys is crucial for correct tax processing.
  Transaction Codes: Familiarize yourself with relevant transaction codes (e.g., FB60, MIRO) where this error might occur.
  SAP Notes: Check for any SAP Notes related to this error message, as they may provide additional insights or patches that address the issue.
  Testing: After making corrections, perform testing to ensure that the error does not reoccur and that tax calculations are processed correctly.
  
  By following these steps, you should be able to identify and resolve the cause of the 5M538 error in your SAP system.