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ArticlesAC: Error Message: "Message from External System: System.JSONException: Unexpected character (‘<‘(code 60)): expected a valid value (number, String, array, object, ‘true’, ‘false’ or ‘null) at input location [1,2]"

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AC: Error Message: "Message from External System: System.JSONException: Unexpected character (‘<‘(code 60)): expected a valid value (number, String, array, object, ‘true’, ‘false’ or ‘null) at input location [1,2]"

A connection failure with the external tax system may occur due to an incorrect Avalara URL. This will generate a "System.JSONException" error when testing the connection. To resolve this, the Connection URL must be corrected within the External Tax Calculation Settings. The correct URL depends on whether a Production or Sandbox org is in use.

  • May 23, 2025
  • Knowledge

Title
AC: Error Message: "Message from External System: System.JSONException: Unexpected character (‘<‘(code 60)): expected a valid value (number, String, array, object, ‘true’, ‘false’ or ‘null) at input location [1,2]"
Summary
A connection failure with the external tax system may occur due to an incorrect Avalara URL. This will generate a "System.JSONException" error when testing the connection. To resolve this, the Connection URL must be corrected within the External Tax Calculation Settings. The correct URL depends on whether a Production or Sandbox org is in use.
URL Name
FFA-Error-Message-Message-from-External-System-System-JSONException-Unexpected-character-code-60-expected-a-valid-value-number-String-array-object-true-false-or-null-at-input-location-1-2

Release Version
Symptoms
  1. Configure the system for Avalara Tax as per the Certinia help
  2. Go to All Tabs (+) > External Tax Calculation Settings (previously known as 'Sales Tax Calculation' at earlier releases)
  3. Click Test Connection and an error occurs:
"Errors
Connection failed.  Message from External System: System.JSONException: Unexpected character (‘<‘(code 60)): expected a valid value (number, String, array, object, ‘true’, ‘false’ or ‘null) at input location [1,2]".
Resolution
  1. The Connection URL specified in All Tabs (+) > External Tax Calculation Settings is incorrect
  2. For a Production org, the URL should be "https://avatax.avalara.net"
  3. For a Sandbox org, the URL should be "https://development.avalara.net"
  4. If the issue persists and the Connection URL is correct, contact Avalara Support to provide an updated URL.

 
 
Cause
  • Using an incorrect Avalara URL will cause the AC Avatax Connector to fail.
Additional Notes
  • The new URL may have to be added into the org's security settings.  To do this, go to Setup > Security Controls > Remote Site Settings > New Remote Site.
Avalara
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Knowledge:AC: Error Message: "Message from External System: System.JSONException: Unexpected character (‘<‘(code 60)): expected a valid value (number, String, array, object, ‘true’, ‘false’ or ‘null) at input location [1,2]"