I have only 5 employees and have always just entered payroll manually. I do not want to get the payroll subscription. Can I manually enter payroll with QBO?

You can record payroll data as Journal Entry. Use a backup restore app to lower any risks.

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Yes, you can, kiwielectric.

Let's record your payroll data using journal entries in QuickBooks Online. Beforehand, I'd suggest creating new accounts to track your payroll liabilities and expenses. Here's how:

1. Go to the Gear icon and select Chart of accounts.
2. Click New.
3. Depending on your account view, you’ll either see a panel labeled New account or New category.

Select the details below to complete the account:

Create these expense accounts. Select Expense as the account type:

• Payroll Expenses: Wages
• Payroll Expenses: Taxes

Create these liability accounts. Select Liabilities as the account type:

• Payroll Liabilities: Federal Taxes (941/944)
• Payroll Liabilities: Federal Unemployment (940)
• Payroll Liabilities: [State] SUI/ETT
• Payroll Liabilities: [State] PIT/SDI

Please note that these accounts cover the most common payroll tax situations. You may need to create additional accounts for taxes specific to your state or locality.

Once done, you can now create a journal entry. I'll show you how:

1. Go to + New.
2. Select Journal Entry.
3. Under the Journal date, enter the paycheck date.
4. If you want to track the paycheck number, enter it in the Journal no. field.

For detailed instructions, please refer to this article: Manually Enter Payroll Paychecks in QuickBooks Online.

Additionally, I've added this article that'll help you get a snapshot of your business to ensure your books are accurate: Run Reports in QuickBooks Online.

Please keep us posted if you need additional assistance tracking the entries in QuickBooks. We want to make sure your payroll record is correct.