Introduction
Issuing a refund check to a customer in QuickBooks can be tricky if you don’t know where to look. Unlike vendor payments, QuickBooks doesn’t offer an obvious option to print a check directly from the customer profile. However, there’s a simple workaround. In this quick tutorial, Jon Markee, your Builder CPA, walks you through the steps to ensure your refund checks are properly created and printed.
Step 1: Verify Customer Information
Before issuing a refund check, it’s important to confirm that the customer profile is set up correctly.
Go to Sales > Customers and select the customer needing a refund.
Click Edit and locate the "Name to Print on Checks" field.
Ensure the correct name is listed—whether it’s the business name or the owner's personal name, depending on their request.
Verify that the mailing address is accurate.
Click Save to update the customer profile.
Step 2: Create the Refund Check
Since QuickBooks doesn’t provide a "Print Check" option in the customer profile, you’ll need to create the check under the vendor section.
Click the New button in the top left.
Select Vendors > Check (even though you’re issuing a refund to a customer).
In the check entry screen, manually enter the customer’s name in the Pay to the Order of field.
Choose the appropriate checking account for the refund.
Assign a category, such as Sales of Product Refund, or select the specific item being refunded.
If you plan to print the check later, select Print Later to queue it.
Click Save and Close to finalize the transaction.
Step 3: Print the Refund Check
Once the check is created, you’ll need to print it from the QuickBooks check printing queue.
Navigate to Vendor > Print Checks in the left menu.
Select the appropriate checking account to view all pending checks.
Locate the refund check and proceed with printing.
If needed, adjust your print settings to ensure accuracy.
Conclusion
While QuickBooks doesn’t offer a direct way to print refund checks from the customer profile, this simple workaround ensures you can process refunds efficiently. By following these steps, you’ll maintain accurate financial records and keep your customers satisfied.
For more accounting tips and tutorials, stay tuned for updates from Jon Markee, your Builder CPA!