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GreenLad
Level 2

How to record a tax refund?

If somebody receives a tax refund from the IRS and you don't want it to be taxed again, how would you record it in QBO?

3 Comments 3
RCV
QuickBooks Team
QuickBooks Team

How to record a tax refund?

We've got some troubleshooting steps we can perform to handle the tax refund and will not be included in your business income, thus avoiding it being taxed again in QuickBooks Online (QBO), GreenLad.

 

Recording a tax refund in QuickBooks Online (QBO) is a simple process, but it’s important to categorize it correctly to ensure it does not get taxed again. We'll need to create a new account for tax refund. Here's how:

 

  1. Go to the Gear icon in the upper right corner.
  2. Select Chart of Accounts under the Your Company column.
  3. Click the New button.
  4. For Account Type, choose Income (or you can choose Other Income if you want to keep it separate from your regular income).
  5. For Detail Type, hit Other Miscellaneous Income.
  6. Name the account appropriately, like "Tax Refund" or "IRS Tax Refund".

 

Then, we can record the tax refund by creating a bank deposit. You can follow the steps and details in this article: Record and make bank deposits in QuickBooks OnlineThis categorizes the tax refund as non-taxable income in your QBO and will not be included in your business income and it will not taxed again.

 

By following these steps, you ensure that the tax refund is correctly recorded and categorized, maintaining accurate and tax-compliant financial records. You can check out these articles about vendor balances and estimated taxes for additional reference: 

 

 

Moreover, you can refer to this article about tracking the money in and out of your QBO company: Track your cash flow in QuickBooks Online.

 

Don't hesitate to reply to me or drop by the Community again if you need more help with your taxes, recording tax refund-related transactions, and bank deposits. The Community is always ready to offer guidance and support, GreenLad.

GreenLad
Level 2

How to record a tax refund?

Thank you, I appreciate the explanation! However, I was concerned that it would get counted if it showed up in my profit and loss report. I put it under other income so at least it's separated. Will that be acceptable to send over to my tax guy?

Rainflurry
Level 15

How to record a tax refund?

@GreenLad 

 

What kind of tax refund is this?  Income tax?  If so, unless you're a C-corporation, income tax is levied at the personal level, it's not a business transaction.  Therefore, the deposit should be made into your personal account, not your business account.      

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