Reissue lost payroll checks

Let me guide you on how you can go about your lost paychecks, iamkdoan.

Normally, if an employee has lost their paycheck and the paycheck is more than 60 or 90 days old, the bank will not cash it. You'll want to reissue a replacement dummy check with a different check number to account for the missing check number. Then, void it to balance your check register. To do that, follow the steps outlined below:

1. Modify the lost paycheck in the register with the next available check number (make note of original paycheck number), and click Save and Close.
2. From the Write Checks screen, create a check payable to the employee who lost a paycheck.
   • NOTE: If the date of the original paycheck is beyond what the bank can process (some banks can only process checks that are within 90 days of the issued date), enter a current date on the check.
3. Enter the net amount of the lost paycheck.
4. Enter the same check number (the new check number) entered on the modified lost payroll check.
5. Click Save & Close.
6. Print the check and issue it to the employee.
7. Change the check number on the Write Check screen to the original paycheck number on the lost paycheck.
8. Void the Write Check (do NOT void the original paycheck) in the bank register.

Also, you'll have to make sure to call the employer's bank to put a stop payment on the lost number. Please refer to this article for the complete details: Issue A Lost Paycheck. Furthermore, QuickBooks Desktop lets you customize any report to show specific information you need. To do this, I've provided this article so you'll be guided: Customize Reports In QuickBooks Desktop.

Please let me know if you have any questions about lost paychecks. As always, I'll always be right here to help you.

Dear Maria,

Thanks for your quick response, my issue is I wrote 1 check to cover the 4 lost paychecks. how do I rectify step 7 with 4 original paycheck numbers?  Can I use the same new check number for all 4 lost checks?

Thanks,

Khanh

To complete this process, edit the new check you wrote and change the account on the Expense tab to the same bank account you wrote the check from.

This will create what looks like a deposit in the check register.

Then pretend to reconcile the account, enter the beginning balance in the ending balance field, then mark off the lost checks and the "deposit" for a net of 0.00 and complete the reconciliation.

Optionally, add memos to the 4 lost checks and the replacement check describing what happened for posterity.