Can you do manual payroll on quickbooks online? 

I've got you covered, bradbutch.

Yes, you can track your paychecks manually if you're not subscribed to any payroll plans in QuickBooks Online. Before doing so, let's make sure to set up the following accounts:

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

Here are the steps: 

1. Go to the Gear > Chart of accounts.
2. Click the New button.
3. In the Account window, select the Account and Detail Type.
4. Enter the Name and Description.
5. Hit Save and Close. 

Please see this sample screenshot for a visual reference:

Once done, you can start recording the journal entries. You can follow Step 2 in this article: Manually enter payroll paychecks in QuickBooks Online.

Please keep me posted on your progress with this. I'll be around to help you out if you need anything else. Take care and stay safe!

I just purchased QB pro 2020 because that Is what my bookkeeper has and I need to input my bank account statement so I got a back up copy from her and purchase this QuickBooks Pro 2020 but on the list of features I don’t see where it says it supports payroll. 

Hello @Polega,

Let me help share how you can use payroll and its related features in QuickBooks Desktop.

Normally, the package after QuickBooks Desktop doesn't include your payroll subscription and you'll be asked to purchase it separately.

If you wish to proceed, consider checking our payroll plans so you can decide which subscription works best for your business needs: Payroll options for QuickBooks Desktop.

Additionally, I've also included this reference for a compilation of articles you can use while working with us: Get Started with QuickBooks Desktop Payroll.

If you have any other questions, please let me know by leaving any comments below. I'll be here to lend a hand.

oh thank you! someone not trying to sell me a payroll subscription when i've been doing payroll without a subscription for decades

Followed all the directions,  manual payroll is still not in bold and will not allow me to check to box.  Only the full payroll box can be checked.  

I appreciate you posting here with your concern, CN 11. Let me share some steps to help you activate your Manual Payroll.

If you haven't yet, let's turn off any WiFi or internet connection or you can turn on the Airplane mode from the system to ensure you're not wired to any accessible network on your personal computer. If you happen to be connected, QuickBooks Payroll will then try to access and connect instead of the third-party (manual option). This is why you're unable to select the manual payroll option from your account's preferences.

With that, may I know what steps you've performed to help rectify the issue? Any additional information is much appreciated, as this would help us provide you with an appropriate resolution. You can also follow the steps provided by my colleague, Kayla H after you've done the steps I've mentioned above.

For more additional information, you can also check out this guide: Troubleshoot QuickBooks Desktop.

Let us know how things worked for you, CN 11. If you require additional assistance with any other area, please don't hesitate to reply in the comments below. We'll be around to help you further. Have a good one!

Hi,

I'm also trying to switch to manual payroll. I had full payroll and recently cancelled it because I'm using Desktop 2020. 

I have several company files. I only used "full payroll" in one company file. I now need to enter payroll manually in that company file (I'm using Intuit Online Payroll). I go to Edit Preferences > Payroll & Employee > Company Preferences. Even though I cancelled full payroll, it won't let me check the box "Manual Payroll". If I click "no payroll" I get a message stating that "Intuit Payroll Service requires full payroll features". 

I check my other company files (the ones that NEVER had "full payroll") and the manual option is still there. I can create manual paychecks, etc. 

Nice to meet you, @Susan164. I understand the urgency to switch the Manual Payroll option in your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT), and I'll make sure you can.

In QBDT, we can't select the Manual Payroll option if there's a payroll service link to your company file. With that, we can remove the Payroll service associated with it in the QuickBooks Service Key tab. 

Here's how:

1. At the top menu, select Employee.
2. Hover the mouse cursor to My Payroll Service and click Manage Service Key.
   
3. Select the payroll service associated with your company file and click Remove.
4. Then hit Yes.
   

Ensure that there's no payroll service linked and click OK. Close all the windows, and you will now have the option to select the Manual Payroll option in the Company Preferences.
 

Additionally, please visit this article for future reference: Create and run your payroll.

You can count on me if you need anything else, especially with managing payroll in QuickBooks. Stay safe and hydrated! 

Hi,

Thank you so much for your quick reply, but that isn't working. I cancelled my payroll subscription and there is no longer a service key associated with it. I can hover over employee > payroll and select "enter service key". When I click on it no service key is showing.

Regards,

This isn't the experience we want you to have, @Susan164. I'll share additional insights to help you sort this out.

Since you've verified that you no longer have a payroll subscription, you can also use the QuickBooks File Doctor to fix company file issues.

If the same thing happens, contact our QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Support Team. They can access your account in a safe environment during a screen-sharing session to investigate your concern and give you a possible fix for this query. 

Here's how you can reach out to them:

1. Go to Help, then select QuickBooks Desktop Help/Contact Us.
2. Click Contact Us.
3. Give a brief description of your issue, then select Continue.
4. Choose a way to connect.

Also, you can check our available hours to ensure your concern will be handled promptly.

You can also read the resources from this link as your guide while tracking your QBDT transactions in the future: QuickBooks Desktop help articles.

Please know that the Community is always around to help with any other QBDT errors you may be having. Tag me in your reply, and I'll sprint back into action.

Good morning.

I have looked for these options in my 2017 quickbooks contrractor premier edition.  I am always being redirected to a webpage.  The software won't allow me to toggle on that option as it does not seem to exist .

What do I do now?

Allow me to dive into this thread to assist you, harpie. I have the details you need about setting up manual payroll in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT).

Manual payroll is a great option to keep track of this within your company file. However, there are specific requirements that we need to comply with to get this feature. Thus, you’ll need to have the most updated version of QuickBooks so you get the latest fixes and improvements.

Since you have the 2017 version, this explains why the option on your company is unavailable. To get around this concern, you can consider upgrading your QuickBooks Desktop company. Alternatively, you can utilize a third-party application to manage your payroll transactions.

Let me know if there’s more you need to know about payroll. Also, I’m always around the Community if you have more questions about any QuickBooks-related matters. Take care!