Hey there, Joanna.
I'm glad to see you here in the Community space. Let me help you achieve your goal of recording your process payroll in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT).
If you're trying to record payroll outside of QBDT, you can export your payroll data by importing IIF into QBDT. After selecting Export or Export Selected paychecks, an IIF file will be downloaded to your Downloads folder. Don't open the IIF file.
Afterward, import the exported payroll transactions into your QBDT. Here's how:
- In your QBDT, go to File, then Utilities.
- Choose Import, and click Import IIF.
- Look for the IIF file you want to Import and select Open. Review your downloads folder to find the IIF file.
- Tap OK.
Another way around this is to manually enter payroll in QBDT by creating journal entries for the paycheck and it will automatically go and track to the correct accounts. You must generate the expense accounts Payroll Expenses: Wages and for Taxes, also make these liability accounts after selecting 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
After that, enter the payroll paychecks into your QBDT account through a Journal Entry. You can refer to this article for the process: Manually enter payroll paychecks. Note that the article provided is from QuickBooks Online (QBO).
If you want to get a closer look at your business finances and payroll activities, feel free to read this article: Run payroll reports in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll.
Achieving your goal in a smooth process as much as possible is our main task, ensure to come back to this thread if you need additional assistance in recording your process payroll in QBDT. We'll be happy to extend our hand. Keep safe, and have a blissful week!
