Adding a line item percentage to an invoice

I appreciate the steps that you've taken by far, Douglas. I have some information that could help you with this. 

Yes, you're right. In QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT), you can add a line item percentage to an invoice. However, in QuickBooks Online (QBO) there's no option to add it as a percentage, as it'll be automatically converted to a decimal on the actual invoice. 

As a workaround, to ensure that the amounts are accurate, you'll need to manually calculate the percentage and add it to the invoice as a line item. With that said, you'll need to leave the sales price or rate blank when creating the service item for the surcharge. 

Since you've created a service item already, here's how to update the amount:

1. Click the Gear icon.
2. Select All lists, then Product and Services.
3. Locate the item, and click Edit from the Action column.
4. Remove the amount from the Sales price/rate.
5. Select Save and Close. 

In addition, here's an article to learn more on how to manage sales forms in QBO: Customize invoices, estimates, and sales receipts in QuickBooks Online.

Let me know in the comment section below if you have any other concerns or questions, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible. I'm always here to assist. 

What we did as a work around is leave the "rate" a percentage expressed as a decimal (10% + .10) and change the "quantity" to the dollar amount we want it applied to. It does add an extra step in the process but it allowed us to use the same line item from desktop and achieve the same result. And it sure beats having to bust out a calculator every time. If you figure out something better please update the post and let us know.

Hi @FZ Howard,

Thank you for sharing this portion of the steps that helped resolve the issue. I'm confident that many users will also find your instructions beneficial. If you require any further assistance, please don't hesitate to return to this thread. We're here to help!

Thank you so much for your suggestion; it seems to be the only work around at the moment. Appreciate the assist, I'm just disappointed that the "upgraded software" is not capable of such a rudimentary task.

Hi there, @Douglas2468!

I'm glad to know that my colleague was able to provide the appropriate workaround for adding a line item percentage to an invoice in QuickBooks Online.

Please let me know if there's anything else you need help with managing invoices. Have a great day!

Thank you so much for your feedback and suggestions.

I have to admit, I'm really not impressed so far with the limitations in quick books online versus desktop.

I really don't understand why a basic element such as being able to add a percentage to a line item, would not be possible like it is in desktop, and that I need to do manual calculations, or use a work around like suggested by another user.

We were being forced out of desktop, and I'm seeing some rather quirky things like this, and the inability to design our invoices and estimates the way we were in desktop.

In this the day of AI, where you can type in the description of something and have a piece of art that would look good hanging on your wall, it defies all logic that I can't design an invoice or estimate, other than the cookie cutter ones available that quite frankly don't look very professional - Well, it's just frustrating

Thanks for your time -

Agreed. This is not simply a frustration based on change, but a frustration based on the loss of function and ability to operate as a customized POS system. My prediction is Intuit will create a separate more customizable POS system to sell as an add-on to QBO.

I am in agreement with everything you said.

I am not a software programmer, but it appears that the current QBO programmers know nothing about accounting. The QBO is dumbed down. 

You realize that you can do the calculation right on the invoice, no calculator needed? Using your keyboard? That is what I do. 

Thanks All,

in QBO

I'm a general contractor and would like to add a line item below the SUBTOTAL that is "Builders Fee" and have it auto calculate a fixed percentage of the subtotal: for example

Subtotal 100.00

Builder fee / qty 1 / price rate 16% / total 116.00

I believe you need to do a subtotal on the actual invoice,  then right below add that product. 

Yes thank you and that's how I am doing it now, but I would like it if that product had a rate that was represented as a percentage of the subtotal and not blank for me to fill out each time. 

Thanks again

 Hello, Construct SB. Glad you've joined us, let me share direct information about adding a line item percentage. 

Currently, QuickBooks Online doesn't have the option to create a line that auto-calculates a fixed percentage for subtotal. You need to enter them manually, for more automated solutions consider using a third-party app that calculates fixed percentages on subtotals.

Alternatively, you can create an item with a fixed percentage for the subtotal, but you will need to manually calculate the rate each time to get the correct figures.

I added this article for you to scan if ever you need to learn more details about how to personalize and add specific info to your sales forms: Customize invoices, estimates, and sales receipts in QuickBooks Online.

Your attention to detail and commitment to accurate record-keeping are truly commendable. If you have further questions about Builder's fee line, or anything else. Please feel free to Reply below!

Do you know how to spell "crap"? It’s spelled QBO.

I had a ticket open with them for nearly two years due to an incorrect sales tax calculation. I ended up paying close to $3,000 in fines because QBO's calculations were off.

Right now, I have another case with tech support—late fees have stopped working.

I have QBO Advanced. It started at $35/month; now it's $235, and I’m sure they’ll raise the rate again this year.

QBO is a dead trap. They make it nearly impossible to migrate data to another accounting solution.

Oh, and the new outsourced support team? That’s where I could seriously throw up.