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SaraS2
Level 2

Adding Car Allowance to Payroll Item

I am giving my employees a car allowance, on top of mileage on each paycheck.  I understand that car allowances are taxable income. What is the proper way to add Car Allowance to the Payroll List?  

Solved
Best answer February 14, 2025

Best Answers
JorgetteG
QuickBooks Team

Adding Car Allowance to Payroll Item

You are correct, SaraS2. Car allowances are classified as additional income for employees and are subject to taxation like other forms of compensation. By establishing it as a separate payroll item designated as a Car Allowance, one can effectively differentiate it from standard wages and other payroll components.

 

Here are the steps to add a Car Allowance to the Payroll List in QuickBooks Desktop:

 

  1. Open QuickBooks and navigate to the Lists menu.
  2. Select Payroll Item List from the dropdown options.
  3. Click on the Payroll Item button at the bottom left, then New.
  4. Choose Custom Setup and proceed by clicking Next.
  5. Select Addition as the Type of Pay, and then proceed to Next.
  6. Enter a designated name for the new payroll item, such as Car Allowance, and select the appropriate expense account that monitors employee allowances, then click Next.    
  7. Follow the on-screen prompts to configure the tax tracking type as Compensation and check the corresponding boxes for applicable taxes (typically including Federal Income Tax, State Income Tax, FICA, etc.).
  8. Set up the method for entering the car allowance amount on each paycheck.
  9. Conclude by reviewing the information and clicking Finish.

 

When you run payroll, you can now include the car allowance for eligible employees by selecting the Car Allowance payroll item in their paycheck details.

 

Furthermore, you may find the following articles beneficial for learning how to pay and track fringe benefits on employee paychecks, as well as correcting any payroll items that may have inaccurate tax tracking in QuickBooks Desktop to ensure the accuracy of your employees’ paychecks:

 

 

This process will adequately prepare you to manage payroll efficiently with this new addition. Reach out anytime if you need further assistance with QuickBooks. I’m just a message away.

View solution in original post

3 Comments 3
JorgetteG
QuickBooks Team

Adding Car Allowance to Payroll Item

You are correct, SaraS2. Car allowances are classified as additional income for employees and are subject to taxation like other forms of compensation. By establishing it as a separate payroll item designated as a Car Allowance, one can effectively differentiate it from standard wages and other payroll components.

 

Here are the steps to add a Car Allowance to the Payroll List in QuickBooks Desktop:

 

  1. Open QuickBooks and navigate to the Lists menu.
  2. Select Payroll Item List from the dropdown options.
  3. Click on the Payroll Item button at the bottom left, then New.
  4. Choose Custom Setup and proceed by clicking Next.
  5. Select Addition as the Type of Pay, and then proceed to Next.
  6. Enter a designated name for the new payroll item, such as Car Allowance, and select the appropriate expense account that monitors employee allowances, then click Next.    
  7. Follow the on-screen prompts to configure the tax tracking type as Compensation and check the corresponding boxes for applicable taxes (typically including Federal Income Tax, State Income Tax, FICA, etc.).
  8. Set up the method for entering the car allowance amount on each paycheck.
  9. Conclude by reviewing the information and clicking Finish.

 

When you run payroll, you can now include the car allowance for eligible employees by selecting the Car Allowance payroll item in their paycheck details.

 

Furthermore, you may find the following articles beneficial for learning how to pay and track fringe benefits on employee paychecks, as well as correcting any payroll items that may have inaccurate tax tracking in QuickBooks Desktop to ensure the accuracy of your employees’ paychecks:

 

 

This process will adequately prepare you to manage payroll efficiently with this new addition. Reach out anytime if you need further assistance with QuickBooks. I’m just a message away.

SaraS2
Level 2

Adding Car Allowance to Payroll Item

Thank you!!!

Sherrie_F
QuickBooks Team

Adding Car Allowance to Payroll Item

Hello there, Sara.

 

I want to express my sincere gratitude for taking the time to return here and express your appreciation for my colleague's guidance on adding a car allowance to your payroll list. It means a lot to us.

 

Your positive response is highly appreciated. Rest assured that we'll remain committed to providing you with the best possible solution.

 

On top of that, you can browse this helpful article to learn how to use a liability adjustment to correct employees' year-to-date (YTD) or quarter-to-date (QTD) payroll info: Adjust payroll liabilities in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll.

 

Once again, thank you for taking the time to show your appreciation, Sara. You can always count on us if you require further assistance with any QuickBooks-related tasks.

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