How can I pay paychecks & quarterly EFTPS payment for a husband and wife from under one tax ID number who file jointly from two different operating accounts. The husband & wife have separate law practices under one TIN but need to pay 941 on same TIN.

It's crucial to ensure that you pay your taxes on time when using QuickBooks Desktop, @Gene-O. I understand the importance of this matter and I'm here to assist you in any way I can.

Regardless of separate operating accounts and paychecks, since they're filing jointly and using one EIN, the 941 when filing should be the combined report. Both QBO and QBDT will generate totals for all employees and employers matching the portion of Social Security and Medicare taxes for the quarter.

It seems that you'd like to handle the tax filing in the desktop version. In this case, you can utilize the class tracking feature. This will allow you to organize the payroll transactions properly. Please refer to this article for the detailed steps: Set up and track your payroll expenses by class.

As the husband is using QBO, you'll have to recreate his paycheck in QBDT. Then, assign a specific class dedicated to the entries to accurately distinguish them. When entering the transaction, you also have option to post it to your husband's account. Here's how:

1. Head to the Employees menu.
2. Choose Employee Center.
3. Open the husband's profile and select Payroll Info.
4. From the Class dropdown, choose the class name you’d like to assign to the entire paycheck.
5. When you create and run payroll, class should show on your employees’ paychecks. Just make sure to select the husband's bank account.

I've added articles to help you file and pay your 941/944 and 940 taxes electronically, as well as run payroll reports:

• E-file and e-pay federal forms and taxes in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Enhanced
• Create and run your payroll

You can always reach out to me if you need help with paying taxes in QuickBooks Desktop. I'm here to help. Have a good one!

Hi Erwin,

One thought I had is since they are husband and wife and file jointly.  Can I create a separate class tor track payroll expenses for the husband on the wife's QB Desktop books?  Will QB then combine the husband's class of expenses with the wife's for 941 reporting purposes.   Second if it does can I set up the husband's class connected to his separate operating account / bank account?

Hello there, @Gene-O. I'm here to ensure you can track payroll expenses. 

Yes, you create a separate class and assign it when creating payroll transactions to track payroll expenses for the husband on his wife's QuickBooks Desktop. 

First, let's set up your preferences to track payroll expenses by class:

1. Open your company file, and go to the Edit menu, then select Preferences.
2. Select Accounting, then Company Preferences.
3. Select Use class tracking for transactions.
4. If prompted, select Yes to save changes.
5. Select Payroll & Employees.
6. Make sure that Full Payroll is selected in the QuickBooks Payroll Features section.
7. Select Job Costing, Class, and Item tracking for paycheck expenses.
8. Select how you'd like to assign a class, then hit OK.

Now, you can assign it when creating payroll transactions. It will be combined if you've created the paycheck within QuickBooks Desktop under the employee profile. 

Regarding your second concern, you can create a different bank and use it to run payroll. I'd still recommend consulting your accountant for further advice and to guide you in taking the suggested steps above. You can utilize our Find an Accountant tool if you don't have one. 

Furthermore, here are some helpful articles you can check out for future reference in handling 941:

• Correct or Amend Forms 941 and 940. 
• Troubleshoot Form 941 in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll. 
• Understand the taxes and forms that QuickBooks payroll submits for you. 

You can add your follow-up question below if you have one anytime you need assistance concerning 941 and payroll expenses. I'm always here for you.