Inactive Payroll Module impacting ability to track project profitability

KeepCreative · ‎December 16, 2019

I have a client who has a QBO Plus subscription. In 2018, they briefly used the payroll service but discontinued it that same year. Fast forward to now: I'm attempting to create Project tracking for the client in their QBO plan, but the Payroll module, despite being inactive, prevents the creation of a Time Activity within a Project with a specific cost and for it to show up as an "Hourly Time Cost" within the project. Without running payroll, timesheet entries won't impact the profitability or show up within "Payroll Hours" on the project Overview page.

I'm at a complete and utter loss as to why the payroll module can't be completely scraped from the account (been told by Tier 2 and 3 support it's not possible) and that there is no alternative to entering employee time entries that will produce the desired result which is to understand the expenditure of employee time against a projects profitability.

Anyone have insight?

ChristieAnn · ‎December 16, 2019

Hi there, KeepCreative.

QuickBooks will only let you create time activities within a project if you have an active payroll subscription.

QuickBooks can integrate with hundreds of apps. I suggest going to the App center inside QuickBooks. Then look for a compatible app that can help you in creating time Activity within a Project without payroll service.

Here's how

1. Click Apps in the left navigation menu.

2. Click the Browse Category drop-down menu, select Data Sync.

3. Select the app you want to integrate.

4. Click Get App Now and complete the following on-screen instructions.

Take note you have to manually create a Time Activity within a Project with a specific cost and for it to show up as an Hourly Time Cost within the project.

Please check this article on how to use the Projects feature to track project income, expenses, and profitability: Set up and use the Projects feature.

You can always come back here in Community if you need anything else.

KeepCreative · ‎December 20, 2019

Hey ChristieAnn,

So, despite the payroll subscription being inactive, I'm still able to create Time Activities as opposed to Hourly Time Entries. This must be some kind of glitch with the subscription, no?

Apparently, the payroll module was never activated, it was simply live with the subscription once the account owner signed up.

Looking forward to your insight!

Anna S · ‎December 20, 2019

Hello, @KeepCreative.

I'm glad to help you with your inactive payroll subscription.

The time tracking feature in QuickBooks Online works without having payroll attached to it. This means that the payroll messages you're receiving are due to payroll still being attached to your client's account.

To get your account to work without error, I recommend reaching out to our Online Support Team. They can detach your payroll account from your subscription and get the messages to stop. I have listed the steps below to contact support:

Click Help (?) in the top right hand corner
Choose Contact Us
Enter your question
Request a callback or chat with an agent

Thank you for allowing me to help. Wishing you the best.

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Inactive Payroll Module impacting ability to track project profitability