voiding checks in QuickBooks desktop

Thanks for getting in touch with the Community, Ohn. I'd be more than happy guide you through how to void and delete checks.

Before you delete or void a bill/bill payment check, consider the following:
 

• Void a Bill/Bill Payment check - The amount changes to zero, but a record is kept of the transaction.
• Delete a Bill/Bill Payment check - The transaction will be removed entirely from your books. It also causes the bill(s) they were linked with to return to an unpaid status. Your Transaction Journal Detail report will display a bill payment without its corresponding bill. There will also be no bill associated with the check when you go to its transaction history.

Here's how to void a bill/bill payment check:

1. Open your check.
2. In the top menu bar, go to Edit, then Delete Bill/Bill Pmt-Check.

Here's how to delete a bill/bill payment check:
 

1. Open your transaction.
2. From the top menu bar, go to Edit, then Delete Bill/Bill Pmt-Check.

You can also void or delete multiple bills/bill payment checks at the same time:
 

1. In your top menu bar, go to Lists, then Chart of Accounts.
2. Double-click the appropriate Accounts Payable account to open its register.
3. From your Accounts Payable register, choose a bill or bill payment check.
4. Return to the top menu bar, go to Edit, then Void/Delete Bill/Bill Pmt-Check.
5. Select Record, then Yes to save your changes.

I've also included a detailed resource about voiding and deleting checks which may come in handy moving forward: Void or delete a bill or bill payment check

Please feel welcome to send a reply if there's any additional questions. Have a lovely Friday!

@Ohn 

Don't delete or void the check.  As you're aware, doing so will change your closed period.  Create a deposit dated Feb. 2024 for the amount of the check.  The next time you reconcile, clear the old check against the deposit and you're all set. 

Thank you for the great information on making a deposit for the check that needs to be voided in previous closed period.   How should I handle the invoice that was created in the previous period and paid with the check that is being voided.   Just FYI,  check appears to have been lost and we stopped payment at our bank and created a new invoice in current period since the one in past period showed paid.

Thank you for your help

@Deryl 

Technically, you should leave the bill from the previous period alone because that is when you received it and paid it.  The fact that the check was lost is irrelevant from a tax and accounting standpoint.   Some people issue a new check and change the check number on the original, lost check to the new number.  I don't like that approach because you end up with a missing check number.  The process I like is to make a deposit in the current period for the amount of the lost check.  Then, issue a new check in the current period for the same amount.  Clear the lost check against the deposit the next time you reconcile, and clear the new check when it clears the bank.  Leave the original bill and payment alone.