QuickBooks Online (QBO) requires values to be entered in the tax withheld field when setting up payroll history, Jody. This is because the system operates in compliance with government agency requirements to ensure accuracy when filing taxes.
Since you’ve already paid estimated taxes outside of payroll, we can work around this by entering the relevant tax withholding amounts in the Taxes withheld section during the setup process. Doing so will guarantee consistent records that align with both IRS and QuickBooks reporting. I’ve included a sample screenshot for reference.

If you're unable to input other amounts, I recommend contacting our Live Payroll Support team. They can provide expert guidance and assist you with unique setups like this to ensure your wife's payroll history is accurately recorded.
- In your QuickBooks account, click the Help icon.
- Select Search, then Contact Us.
- Enter your question in the field, then Continue.
- Choose either Chat or Callback for assistance.
For more details, refer to this article: Add pay history to QuickBooks.
On another note, explore QuickBooks Payroll to enhance your payroll processing. This way, you'll have access to advanced features that simplify handling unique setups, like recording payroll history and managing tax payments.
Please let me know how you’d like to move forward. We’re committed to helping you navigate this payroll history setup and ensuring everything is properly recorded. Pick click the Reply button below, and I'll respond promptly. Take care.