Simplify payday and set payroll to run automatically on QuickBooks.

Green Circle Icon with Stylized White Letters
QuickBooksHelpIntuit

Manage a bounced cheque you wrote

by Intuit • Image Alt Text 9
Image Alt Text Updated 8/5/2026 01:03

How do you handle a check returned by your vendor due to non-sufficient funds? Learn how to record a bounced check transaction in QuickBooks by creating a journal entry and a bill payment check.

IMPORTANT: Do not void the original Bill Payment Check because it may be in a previous accounting period.

Step 1: Enter a reversing journal entry

  • From the Company menu, select Make General Journal Entries.

  • Make sure the Date and Entry No. are correct.

  • Debit the checking account for the amount of the NSF check.

  • Credit the A/P account for the amount of the NSF check.

  • Enter the Vendor name.

  • (Optional) Enter memos and classes.

  • Select Save & Close.

Step 2: Un-link the bill from the payment check and link it to the journal entry

  • Open the original bill payment check.

  • Uncheck the bill(s) originally paid by the bill payment check.

  • Check the Journal Entry created in Step 1.

  • Enter a Memo to indicate the check was returned for NSF.

  • Select Save & Close.

Step 3: Enter a bill for the overdraft charges

Do this step ONLY if the vendor charges you for the overdraft fee.

  • From the Vendors menu, select Enter Bills.

  • Enter the Vendor name.

  • On either the Expenses tab or the Item tab, enter the overdraft charges with the appropriate account or item.

  • Enter a Memo to indicate that these are charges for an NSF bill payment check.

  • Select Save & Close.

Step 4: Create a new bill payment check

Since you un-link the original bill payment check from the bill(s), they were marked unpaid and should re-appear in the Pay Bills window.

  • From the Vendors menu, select Pay Bills.

  • Select the bill(s) originally paid by the NSF bill payment check and the bill for overdraft charge (if applicable).

  • Complete all other required information.

  • Select Pay Selected Bills.

Sign in now for personalized help

See articles customized for your product and join our large community of QuickBooks users.

Sign In / Sign Up