Server employee didn't work enough hours to pay their share of the FICA. How do I record that difference in quickbooks online payroll

Hello, info-dineatselec. 

Thank you for reaching out to the Community. In QuickBooks, you still be able to run payroll without withholding of FICA due to less hours because it will accumulate on the next payroll for that employee.

However, If you need to record it now, you can create a journal entry for the employee. But, I recommend reaching out to your accountant to help and guide you to ensure the proper way to record the J.E. to prevent any discrepancy in your book.  

You can check out this article to learn more about journal entries: Create a journal entry in QuickBooks Online. 

If you need help managing your books, running reports, or managing your sales and expenses, you can read our articles for guides and details. Click here to go to our QuickBooks Online general help page.  

Please don't hesitate to reply to me anytime if you have follow-up questions or concern. I'm more than happy to answer them for you. Take care, and have wonderful day ahead.

The problem is, Quickbooks online doesn't show the negative amount the employee owes for their FICA.  It still says 0 and then it won't let me record the check because it says it can't be a negative check but still shows zero.  Honestly it is not a good way for it to do this.  The desktop version allows other workarounds.  Please don't take the wrong way, but your answer didn't help at all.

I should be able to have a Loan to FICA account on deductions and allow a positive deduction so the loan is recorded on their paycheck and for my records as well like I do it.  If I can't figure this out then I will have to switch from the desktop version to another cloud version of payroll that allows it.  

It is stupid for quickbooks make you sign in to reply and then loose your entire reply to type it over.  

Point is, the desktop version allowed me a workaround that the online version doesn't have.  The net pay shows zero, but then it tells me I can't have a negative check so I can't even record it.  

No offense but your previous answer doesn't address anything overall.

Hello, info-dineatselec. 

In QuickBooks Desktop, you can create a zero paycheck instead of a negative one. To zero out the net amount, you may need to create addition and deduction item for the loan. 

Here's how to set up an addition payroll item:

1. Go to Lists and then click Payroll Item List.
2. Select the Payroll Item button, and click New.
3. Choose Custom Setup, and then select Next.
4. Select Deduction, and click Next.
5. Enter your preferred name of the payroll item then click Next.
6. Leave the first two fields blank, select the account which will be affected by this payroll item in the Liability account drop-down list and click Next.
7. Make sure None is selected in the Tax Tracking Type window and click Next.
8. Continue to click Next until you reached the Finish button.

Here's how to set up a deduction payroll item:

1. Go to Lists and then click Payroll Item List.
2. Select the Payroll Item button, and then click New.
3. Choose Custom Setup, and then click Next.
4. Select Deduction, and then click Next.
5. Enter your preferred name of the payroll item then click Next.
6. Leave the first two fields blank, select the account which will be affected by this payroll item in the Liability account drop-down list and click Next.
7. Make sure None is selected in the Tax Tracking Type window and click Next.
8. Continue to click Next until you reached the Finish button.

After following the steps provide above, you'll be able to create a paycheck with zero net amount. 

However, if we need further assistance. I suggest contacting our Support Team. They'll be able to use a screen share to help walk you through some steps to help resolve this problem.

For the detailed steps and instructions, you may check this article: Enter non-taxable third-party sick pay.

Also, here are the lists of articles you can read more about paychecks calculation in QBDT:

• Payroll items on paycheck are not calculating or are calculating incorrectly
• QuickBooks Desktop calculates wages and/or payroll taxes incorrectly

Let me know if you have other questions. Take care and stay safe always!