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chrisslater
Level 1

How to process Expenses refunds

 
Solved
Best answer May 16, 2020

Accepted Solutions
Rea_M
Moderator

How to process Expenses refunds

Hello there, chris_slater.

 

Let me guide you on how to record the expenses refunds of your employee from a business trip in QuickBooks Online (QBO). This way, you'll be able to keep your books accurate and manage your transactions correctly.

 

You can create an expense transaction to record what the employee purchased. Then, record the refund through a bank deposit. I'm here to guide you how.

 

Here's how to create an expense transaction from the +New button.

  1. Go to the +New button.
  2. Select Expense.
  3. Select the name of your employee in the Payee field. If you haven't added your employee, click the Add option, then make sure to select Employee in the Type field.
  4. Enter all the necessary data about the purchase.
  5. In the Category field, you can create/add a specific expense account or use a relevant default one.
  6. Select Save and close.

 

Once done, you can now process the refund through the bank. Here's how:

  1. Go to the +New button.
  2. Select Bank deposit.
  3. Choose the account that the money was received in the Account field.
  4. Select the correct date in the Date section.
  5. In the Add funds to this deposit section, select the name of the employee under the Received from column.
  6. In the Account column, select the expense account you use for the transaction you created.
  7. Enter the amount with No VAT.
  8. Select Save and close.

 

Moreover, you can pull up the Deposit Detail report to check the details of the transaction you created above. This way, you can identify if you recorded everything accordingly.

 

QuickBooks also lets you record or pay back your employee's business-related expenses. In case they used their funds to pay a business expense, you can pay them directly or record it first and pay them later. For the detailed steps, kindly refer to this article: Reimburse an employee

 

Please let me know if you have other concerns. I'm just around to help.

View solution in original post

19 REPLIES 19
chris_slater
Level 1

How to process Expenses refunds

Sorry for any confusion. I was hoping for another screen where I could expand on my problem in this post and there doesn't seem to be any way of editing it. Hence I'm hoping this reply to my own post will clarify.

One of our employees was on a business trip. He purchased something then returned it for a refund therefore the transaction does not belong to a supplier. In addition the refund was for only part of the original transaction.

I am trying to process the refund through the bank and QBO wants me to pick a customer as the transaction is being seen as Accounts Receivable.

What's the correct procedure please.

Thanks

Rea_M
Moderator

How to process Expenses refunds

Hello there, chris_slater.

 

Let me guide you on how to record the expenses refunds of your employee from a business trip in QuickBooks Online (QBO). This way, you'll be able to keep your books accurate and manage your transactions correctly.

 

You can create an expense transaction to record what the employee purchased. Then, record the refund through a bank deposit. I'm here to guide you how.

 

Here's how to create an expense transaction from the +New button.

  1. Go to the +New button.
  2. Select Expense.
  3. Select the name of your employee in the Payee field. If you haven't added your employee, click the Add option, then make sure to select Employee in the Type field.
  4. Enter all the necessary data about the purchase.
  5. In the Category field, you can create/add a specific expense account or use a relevant default one.
  6. Select Save and close.

 

Once done, you can now process the refund through the bank. Here's how:

  1. Go to the +New button.
  2. Select Bank deposit.
  3. Choose the account that the money was received in the Account field.
  4. Select the correct date in the Date section.
  5. In the Add funds to this deposit section, select the name of the employee under the Received from column.
  6. In the Account column, select the expense account you use for the transaction you created.
  7. Enter the amount with No VAT.
  8. Select Save and close.

 

Moreover, you can pull up the Deposit Detail report to check the details of the transaction you created above. This way, you can identify if you recorded everything accordingly.

 

QuickBooks also lets you record or pay back your employee's business-related expenses. In case they used their funds to pay a business expense, you can pay them directly or record it first and pay them later. For the detailed steps, kindly refer to this article: Reimburse an employee

 

Please let me know if you have other concerns. I'm just around to help.

Nina71
Level 2

How to process Expenses refunds

Similar to the original request, I am trying to process a refund to a credit card (not related to an employee at all), can you advise how this can be done?

Catherine_B
QuickBooks Team

How to process Expenses refunds

I can help you create a refund, Nina71.

 

You can create a bank deposit to track the refund. It won't require you to enter a vendor name. You'll just have to select the correct expense account where the amount will be deposited.

 

I'll show you how:

 

  1. Click on the + New button and click Bank Deposit.
  2. From the Account box, select the expense account used upon purchasing the equipment.
  3. On the Add funds to this deposit section, choose the Account where the money is coming from.
  4. Enter the Amount.
  5. Click on Save and close.

Feel free to check these references for more details on how to process a refund: 

 

You can always mention me in your reply if you have other questions in mind. Take care and have a great day!

Nina71
Level 2

How to process Expenses refunds

Thank you for your prompt reply. I had tried this step already but because it is a refund to a Credit Card it is not appearing as an option in the Account drop down list. Is there another process option for Credit cards?

MJoy_D
Moderator

How to process Expenses refunds

Let me show you other ways in recording a refund, @Nina71.

 

The other way is to create a cheque to record the refund and reduce the balance of the account where the overpayment was deposited. Also, it offsets your customer's overpayment. Here's how: 

  1. Go to the + New icon and choose Cheque.
  2. In the Payee column, select the customer.
  3. Choose Accounts Receivable in the Category column.
  4. In the Amount column, enter the overpayment amount. 
  5. Click Save and close.

Once completed, you can pair the check with the credit or overpayment. Here's how:

  1. Go to the + New icon and choose Receive Payment.
  2. Enter the necessary information. 
  3. Under Outstanding Transactions, choose the Cheque that you created.
  4. Select the Unapplied Payment under Credits
  5. Make sure Amount Received is zero.
  6. Click Save and close.

You can use this article for more detailed insights: Record a customer refund in QuickBooks Online.

 

If there's anything else that you need in recording your transactions, you can always leave a reply. You take care always!

Nina71
Level 2

How to process Expenses refunds

The original purchase was charged to a Payment account - Credit card back in February so I don't want to create a new transaction as it has already been processed and reconciled.

I would like to process a new transaction as a refund against the original transaction. How do I process a refund to a Payment account?

Maybelle_S
QuickBooks Team

How to process Expenses refunds

Thanks for getting back to us, @Nina71.

 

The steps provided by my colleague are recording purposes in QuickBooks Online (QBO). If you want to process an actual refund to the real account, you can do it outside QuickBooks. You can process a refund by transferring money from your bank or ACH.

 

You may also check our help articles in case you have any other QuickBooks concerns: Help articles for QuickBooks Online.

 

Stay in touch with us if you have other questions. I'm more than happy to help. Take care!

Nina71
Level 2

How to process Expenses refunds

I am not suggesting that I need to process a payment outside of QB online... that has already been done, I am trying to get QB to reflect this payment in the form of a refund on the system.

Please refer to my question above as the last response did not provide the relevant information.

 

I would like to process a new transaction as a refund against the original transaction ie I do not want to recreate the original transaction again. How do I process a refund to a Payment account?

ham-n-eggs
Level 2

How to process Expenses refunds

These instructions work to process the refund to the original credit card, however it does not show up under the supplier history.  Is there a way to do that?

 

Okay, I figured it out...  I use the bank deposit entry and post to accounts payable with the use of supplier name as one entry.  I also create a supplier credit posted to actual gl account.  This does however leave an amount in overdue even though the supplier balance is zero. 

 

My credit card balance is correct. My accounts payable balance is correct.  The entry shows up in both my credit card and Supplier history.  Now is there any way to get rid of that balance overdue in supplier account?

MirriamM
Moderator

How to process Expenses refunds

Hi there, @ham-n-eggs.

 

Let me show you how to view all transactions for a specific supplier in QuickBooks Online (QBO).

 

Here's how:

  1. In the left menu, click Expenses.
  2. Go to the Suppliers tab.
  3. Locate and select the specific supplier.
  4. Click the Transaction List tab.

From there, you'll see all the transactions for this supplier. 

 

For more information about this, see this article: View supplier transactions.

 

In case you'd want to run a report for a supplier, check out this link for guidance: 

Stay in touch if you have any other concerns or questions. I’ll jump right back in to answer them for you. Have a great day.

Jen W
Level 1

How to process Expenses refunds

I am having the same problem. We don't use the deposits feature so this makes no sense to me.

 

jamespaul
Moderator

How to process Expenses refunds

Hello, Jen. 

 

I'd like to clarify regarding the issue you're having with the refund. 

 

There are different ways to handle the refunds, as what you've noticed from the previous replies. Though, this depends on what expense you're trying to process the refund on.

 

Are you trying to process a refund for a regular expense? Or are you trying to process a credit card refund incurred by the employee? More details would definitely help me come up with a resolution, so you can handle the refund correctly. 

 

Looking forward to your reply! 

Oluther2
Level 2

How to process Expenses refunds

1. +New> Vendors>Credit Card Credit 

2. Fill out the fields as if it were an expense to offset expense account that was debited. 

 

tonyinbarnet
Level 1

How to process Expenses refunds

Using the above method I have processed an expense against a supplier, then the refund has come in so I have processed that as a deposit. However my bank balances, my nominal ledger balances but the suppliers purchase ledger account still shows the expenses total when it should be zero. What have I missed ?

FritzF
Moderator

How to process Expenses refunds

Hi there, @tonyinbarnet.

 

Thanks for joining this conversation. Allow me to chime in and help make sure your supplier's purchase ledger account is zeroed out in QuickBooks Online (QBO).

 

Since the issue persists after following the steps shared by my colleagues above, I highly suggest contacting our Support team. They have tools such as screen-sharing (remote access) that can pull up your account in a secure environment and check the cause of the issue. They can also perform other troubleshooting steps if necessary.

 

Here's how to reach them:

 

  1. In QBO, click the Help (question mark) icon at the top right.
  2. In QB Assistant, enter the topic you need help with or enter "Refund".
  3. Select Contact Us to connect with a live support agent.

 

I'm also adding these articles for more information about handling refunds in QBO:

 

 

You are always welcome to post in the Community for further help. We're glad to assist you.

Oluther2
Level 2

How to process Expenses refunds

When you go to the suppliers account page and you click on the original payment received for the invoice, when you scroll down, does the deposit show up in outstanding transactions or on the right side of the screen, do you have a side bar with the heading: "Add to bill payment" showing the deposit you made against that vendor as "accounts payable"? If so, check it.  The original amount paid should equal the amount of the bill minus items returned + Refund/Deposit amount. 

 

tonyinbarnet
Level 1

How to process Expenses refunds

Hi Fritz I used your chat facility for something else, after a while of waiting someone did come on.

Whilst they were dealing with my query they asked me how I felt about QB and was I happy with the support.

I told them it was ok if and when I could get through, they promptly disconnected chat.

I haven't gone back on there again. 

Dtothez
Level 1

How to process Expenses refunds

Hello Nina71,

 

Did you ever figure out the answer to the question? I may have a similar issue. I am wondering if you ever found a solution as I am trying to figure out how do I categorize an employee's cc transaction for a travel expense that has already been refunded back onto the card and needs to be categorized and 'added' under the action column?

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