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dbland07666
Level 4

Printing paychecks myself

I have QB Online Payroll and my question is about printing paychecks myself.  I already know how to set someone up for printed paychecks (no direct deposit for these employees). When I run my payroll, will QB create the check so I will find it in my check list (New -> Print Checks)?  Or do I have to enter the check details myself?

 

I already know how to find and print the paystub.

Solved
Best answer August 03, 2022

Best Answers
GebelAlainaM
QuickBooks Team

Printing paychecks myself

Thank you for clarifying your concern, @dbland07666. I can add additional information about paycheck concerns in QuickBooks Online (QBO).

 

In QBO, it will automatically generate paychecks once you run payroll to pay your employees. Then those paychecks will show on your Paycheck list. On the other hand, the process you're referring to when you click the +New icon, then Check or Print check, is used for your expenses to keep your checking account organized in QuickBooks.

 

If you want to print your paycheck, I can guide you with the steps. Here's how:

 

  1. Go to the Payroll menu, then Employees.
  2. Under Run payroll, click the Paycheck list.
  3. Select the paycheck you want to print. You can click the Filter dropdown if you need to change the Date range or Employee.
  4. In the Action column, select Print.
  5. Select the printer icon to print once, and a preview of the paycheck or pay stub opens.

 

You can refer to this article for more details: Print paychecks and pay stubs in Online Payroll.

 

You can also check out the article if you want to purchase a hand-written check: Create and record checks in QuickBooks Online.

 

In addition, if you need to run payroll reports in the future, here's an article for your guide: Run payroll reports. It includes all the lists of payroll reports available in QuickBooks Online.

 

Please don't hesitate to reach back if you have clarification or additional concerns. I'll be happy to assist you at any time. Take care!

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17 Comments 17
MichelleBh
Moderator

Printing paychecks myself

Good to hear that you already know how to find and print the pay stub, @dbland07666.

 

Let me share details about printing checks for yourself in QuickBooks Online Payroll. This way, I can help you achieve your task. 

 

Paying yourself in QuickBooks has two ways. Either add you as an employee or set up an owner's draw. If you want to add yourself as an employee, I'd recommend running payroll as usual. Then print the pay stub right after.

 

On the other hand, if you want to use the owner's draw account, you'll need to enter the check details manually. This way, the transactions will be visible on the Print Checks page. 

 

Do the following: 

 

  1. Go to the Accounting tab on the left side, then choose Chart of Accounts
  2. Click the New button.
  3. In the Account Type drop-down, pick Equity
  4. Select owner’s Equity in the Detail Type field. 
  5. Type a unique name in the box. 
  6. Click Save and close

 

After that, write a check from an owner's equity account. Let me show you how: 

 

  1. Go to the + New and select Check
  2. Choose the bank account which your money will be withdrawn from.
  3. In the Category drop-down, choose the Equity account you just created. 
  4. Enter the payment amount in the field.
  5. Check the Print later box, then click Save and close

 

For more details, see this link: Set up and pay an owner's draw.

 

Once done, you can now see the transaction in the Print checks window. For complete steps, see this article: Print a check in QuickBooks Online.

 

Read through these articles below to learn more about how to void paychecks and pay yourself as a business owner in QuickBooks: 

 

 

 I'm always glad to help, so please don't hesitate to post any questions you might have in the Community. Have a nice day. 

dbland07666
Level 4

Printing paychecks myself

Thank you, Michelle.  I think you misunderstood my question.  I am not trying to pay myself, I'm trying to pay someone else. He wants a check.  So back to my question, if I run the payroll, will QB create the check for me so it shows up in my check list when I go to New -> Print Checks?

 

David

GebelAlainaM
QuickBooks Team

Printing paychecks myself

Thank you for clarifying your concern, @dbland07666. I can add additional information about paycheck concerns in QuickBooks Online (QBO).

 

In QBO, it will automatically generate paychecks once you run payroll to pay your employees. Then those paychecks will show on your Paycheck list. On the other hand, the process you're referring to when you click the +New icon, then Check or Print check, is used for your expenses to keep your checking account organized in QuickBooks.

 

If you want to print your paycheck, I can guide you with the steps. Here's how:

 

  1. Go to the Payroll menu, then Employees.
  2. Under Run payroll, click the Paycheck list.
  3. Select the paycheck you want to print. You can click the Filter dropdown if you need to change the Date range or Employee.
  4. In the Action column, select Print.
  5. Select the printer icon to print once, and a preview of the paycheck or pay stub opens.

 

You can refer to this article for more details: Print paychecks and pay stubs in Online Payroll.

 

You can also check out the article if you want to purchase a hand-written check: Create and record checks in QuickBooks Online.

 

In addition, if you need to run payroll reports in the future, here's an article for your guide: Run payroll reports. It includes all the lists of payroll reports available in QuickBooks Online.

 

Please don't hesitate to reach back if you have clarification or additional concerns. I'll be happy to assist you at any time. Take care!

dbland07666
Level 4

Printing paychecks myself

Hi Gebel.  Thank you very much.  This is exactly what I wanted to know. 

David

FritzF
Moderator

Printing paychecks myself

Awesome! @dbland07666.

 

I'm happy to know that the steps shared by my colleague above help you print your paychecks in QuickBooks Online (QBO).

 

For more tips and other resources, you can always visit our website for future reference: Self-help articles.

 

You're always welcome to post again here in the Community if you have any questions or concerns. We will be here ready to assist. Take care and have a great day!

JimFromPA
Level 2

Printing paychecks myself

But how do you print just the paychecks?  I have been using QB Desktop for 20+ years.  I use 3 on 1 laser checks for payroll AND writing regular checks.  I was just on the phone for 2 hours and the young lady told me there was NO option to print just a paycheck w/o a paystub.  That would require me to have 2 sets of checks, one for payroll and one for everything else.  This CANNOT be the only option Intuit could come up with!!  I was told I ONLY had the option to print a paycheck with 1 paystub or a paycheck with 2 paystubs.  This cannot be true.  PLEASE HELP!!!

DivinaMercy_N
Moderator

Printing paychecks myself

Hi there, @JimFromPA. I'm here to ensure you'll be able to print paychecks in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT).

 

Thanks for sharing details of your concern as well as your interaction with our live support team. To print a paycheck, refer to the following steps below: 

 

  1. In your QBDT account, navigate to the File menu and select Print Forms.
  2. Next, choose Paychecks.
  3. Then, select your payroll Bank Account.
  4. Confirm that the number in the First Check Number field matches the number of the first check in your printer.
  5. Then, select Paycheck or Direct Deposit (The program will print advice of deposit forms for this. Then, just visit this link if you want to order Advice of Deposit Forms.).
  6. After that, click OK.
  7. Check your print settings and when ready, select Print.

 

For reference, please proceed to Step 2 of this article: Print paychecks and pay stubs. 

 

You can also run several reports to track your payroll info, employee details, and business finances. To pull up one, check out this page for the detailed instructions: Excel-based payroll reports. 

 

Don't hesitate to post again here if you have any other payroll concerns. I'd be happy to lend a hand to assist you further. Have a good one and stay safe.

JimFromPA
Level 2

Printing paychecks myself

Sorry for the confusion, I was replying to a Quickbooks Online question.  I have switched to Quickbooks Online and cannot print a paycheck only.  You can't expect everyone to have 2 sets of checks, 1 for payroll and 1 for everything else.  I was told you can ONLY print a paycheck with a paystub.  This cannot be.  Thanks!

dbland07666
Level 4

Printing paychecks myself

Hi Jim

 

I see that, as is so typical on these forums, the QB team gave you a rote answer about how to print paychecks that was not responsive to your question. This thread was started by me, and I believe there is no way to just print the paycheck.  When I print the check, it expects there to be 3 parts; that is, it expects a voucher check.  So you could print on your regular check stock, but you'd be throwing away 2 of the 3 checks on your page.

 

Alternatively, and this is a kluge, you could print on plain paper and then copy the top part (the paycheck) onto your check stock (ie, feed the check stock as though it were the plain paper).  Yes, that's a kluge.  I have not seen any way to just print the paycheck, but I'm just a user, like you.

 

FYI, it's my understanding that Intuit did not write the payroll module. I was told they bought it and grafted it on, which would explain the disconnect.  In fact, I find that checks written in regular QBO are totally disconnected from the paychecks printed in QBO.  For example, when I am in QBO and search for checks, it doesn't find the payroll checks.  It's as though one system doesn't know the other exists.

 

I would prefer to NEVER write a payroll check and have everyone on direct deposit.  But we are a non-profit and have a small, youth training program where teens are paid for work and, among other things, learn what it means to have a job.  One of the things they need to learn is how to cash a check!!!  So I have print the paychecks.  

 

David

 

JimFromPA
Level 2

Printing paychecks myself

Thanks for the reply David!  After being on the phone with multiple "experts" today, I agree there is no way of separating the two types of checks.  That is totally ridiculous and has to be the WORST Intuit upgrade ever!!  I literally have to buy 2 sets of checks, and then there will be no order in my check register!  Seriously considering getting another accounting package after using QB for over 20 years.  So sad it has come to this!  Good luck and thanks for working with the kids!!

JimFromPA
Level 2

Printing paychecks myself

Oh, and also David.  Talked to my IT guy, and he said to just print one paycheck at a time, and just feed one check into the printer at a time.  It will print the check and since there is no more paper after the check, it just doesn't print the stub part.  Takes longer, but for now it will have to work.  Then I print the stub afterward.

HugoSyd
Level 3

Printing paychecks myself

Yep - QBOnline did it again - fixed something that didn't need fixing. So my dupe for written paychecks is to use the check Laser Taxi. I load a single check on top of a blank sheet of paper and then print the QB payroll check with 1 paystub. Of course if anyone wants just a paystub you have to go back into payroll settings and change back to paystub printing.

Anyone at QBOnline listening??

LindsayA
Level 1

Printing paychecks myself

I can't even get a paycheck to show up! Just a paystub with a check number on it and "Paystub detail" printed under the check number. How are you able to get a check to show up in preview? I have only 2 paychecks to print each payday and feel I can print out the preview of the paycheck and then copy it onto my checks.  I can't get just a check to preview though. 

ChristineJoieR
QuickBooks Team

Printing paychecks myself

I'm glad you came in this thread, @LindsayA. Let me show you how to view the paycheck through a print preview set up in QuickBooks Online Payroll.

 

There are two forms when you print the paystubs in Quickbooks Online Payroll can offer. 

 

Here are the following:

 

  • Pay stubs on plain paper
  • Paycheck on QuickBooks-compatible check paper

 

Let me show you how to get there:

 

  1. Go to the Gear icon.
  2. Choose the Payroll Settings.
  3. Locate the Printing section and tap the Pencil icon.
  4. Modify your preferences or choose your voucher type.

 

The two forms can show paycheck detail from different views. You can get insights from there. 

 

Other than that, I suggest using a compatible or standard paycheck in QuickBooks Online Payroll to ensure accurate alignment. Please check out this article for insights: Print or reprint paychecks and pay stubs.

 

Also, if you want to enter the paystub details on your paycheck from outside QuickBooks Online Payroll, the only option is to enter it manually.

 

If you need to view your payroll reports, you can do this in QuickBooks Online Payroll. Refer to this article for the detailed steps: Run Payroll Reports.

 

Let me know if you still have other concerns. I'll get back to you right away.

lpcstronghold
Level 1

Printing paychecks myself

I just migrated from QB Desktop to QBO.  I went through the steps, but when I go to print my payroll checks, the preview shows a voucher instead of 3 checks to a page.  How can I change this so I am printing 3 to a page and printing the pay stub on plain paper?  I have already marked the box to print paystub on plain paper.

Angelyn_T
Moderator

Printing paychecks myself

Welcome to QuickBooks Online (QBO), lpcstronghold. I appreciate you going to your payroll settings to set the printing preferences for your payroll checks. Let me share more insights about this feature.

 

Printing standard check type or three on a page is currently available for regular checks created from the +New icon. For payroll checks, you may choose the option to print your payroll checks or pay stubs on plain paper. However, it still prints a voucher. 

 

I know how important it is for you to print your transactions in a standard form. While the option is unavailable, I recommend you send a feature request directly to our product developers. This way, they can determine what enhancements and improvements are needed to make our product more effective and convenient for our users. 

 

Here's how:

 

  1. Select the Gear icon at the top, then Feedback.
  2. Enter your comments.
  3. Hit Next to proceed.

 

Once done, your valuable suggestion goes to our Product Development team to help improve your QBO experience. You can track feature requests through the QuickBooks Online Feature Requests website.

 

To know more about printing setup for your payroll and regular checks, you can open these articles:

 

 

If you encounter issues while printing paychecks, pay stubs, or forms, you can follow the solutions from this article to fix them: Troubleshoot printing paychecks, pay stubs, and forms in QuickBooks Online Payroll.

 

Please feel free to leave a comment below if you have other QuickBooks or payroll concerns. I'm just a few clicks away to help you again. Have a good one!

FrontlineArts
Level 1

Printing paychecks myself

I couldn't find the answers, as I kept trying to print a check for an employee on a regular payroll for the first time- I have already alighned and generated a QB voucher check for a contractor. Every time I went to print, it only generated a stub. I finally found that if you go to "change print settings" at the top right of the paychek list report, it takes you to how paper checks are printed, and for whatever reason it only said "paystub on plain paper." So I had to switch it to "Paychecks on QuickBooks-compatible check paper " and now it finally generates the paycheck to print.

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