I am trying to run an off-cycle payroll but can't figure out how to do it.

Let me help you to run an off-cycle payroll, @kthoe. 

In QuickBooks Online payroll, off-cycle or unscheduled payrolls are typically used for a set payment, or early payments that can't wait until the next scheduled payroll.
 
To set up an off-cycle payroll, here's how:

1. In the left pane, click Workers choose Employees then Run Payroll. 
2. Click Run Payroll, then Select pay schedule. 
3. Hit the employees name you wanted to pay. 
4. Choose the pay period and click Create another check. 
5. Adjust the pay date as needed and choose the correct bank account. 
6. Confirm the pay period and pay date. 
7. Verify the employee's payment method and enter the employee's hours. 
8. Hit Preview Payroll to view your pay run before submitting it. 
9. Click Submit payroll and Press Finish pay.   

Once done, you'll be able to see the off-cycle payroll you run under the Paycheck list.

I've added screenshots for you. 

For future reference, you can check out this article about Paying taxes either manually or electronically.

• Pay payroll taxes electronically or manually 

Feel free to Reply to the thread if you have questions about running payroll in QuickBooks Online Payroll. I'm always here to help you. Have a great day!

Another QB team member said to run a Bonus Only payroll and change the TOTAL PAY settings, but I was unable to do that. Why can't there be an unscheduled payroll option like in Quickbooks Desktop and Gusto??

See the thread here: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/special-payroll/how-to-do-an-off-cycle-or-unschedu...

Hi there, @Melissa Fink. 

Thanks for joining in this conversation. QuickBooks Online has a different platform from QuickBooks Desktop which is why there are some features available in the Desktop that can't be found in the Online version. 

As a workaround, you can follow the steps provided by my peer on this thread or from the article that you've attached. 

I understand the importance of having this kind of functionality in QuickBooks Online, @Melissa Fink. Please know that all our fully developed features will be announced in the QuickBooks blog site. 

I'd recommend you visit regularly to get into the loop about what's new in QuickBooks. 

Feel free to visit again if you have additional concerns. We're delighted to assist you some more.