QuickBooks Unscheduled Payroll Check: Step-by-Step Guide for 2026

QuickBooks Unscheduled Payroll Check lets businesses pay employees outside of their regular payroll schedule. This is mainly helpful for processing bonuses, commissions, final paychecks, or other eligible off-cycle payments. Once you understand the difference between scheduled and unscheduled Payroll, you can easily choose the right Payroll and prevent unnecessary changes to your regular pay schedule.

In this write-up, we have explained how to run scheduled and unscheduled Payroll in QuickBooks Online, process off-cycle Payroll in QBO, cancel or delete payroll paychecks, and turn off QuickBooks Online payroll when required.

Table of Contents

What is QuickBooks Unscheduled Payroll Check?

It is a paycheck that is created and processed outside an employee’s regular payroll schedule. This is mainly used for special or off-cycle payments like bonuses, commissions, final checks, or certain fringe benefits.

Let’s understand it better with an example;

If employees are normally paid every other Friday but you need to give an employee a bonus on Wednesday, you can use an unscheduled payroll check without changing the regular payroll schedule.

Difference between Scheduled Vs Unscheduled Payroll Check in QuickBooks Online

A scheduled payroll check is basically a paycheck that is processed as a part of the company’s established payroll schedule. Whereas, an unscheduled payroll check is a separate check that runs outside the regular schedule for a specific payment that needs to be processed independently.

Let’s have a glimpse at the table given below to learn more about the Scheduled and Unscheduled payroll checks in QuickBooks Online.

Feature	Scheduled Payroll Check	Unscheduled Payroll Check
Purpose	Regular employee payroll	Special or off-cycle payment
Payroll Schedule	Follows an existing schedule, like weekly, biweekly, or monthly.	It does not follow the normal payroll schedule.
Typical payments	Regular wages, overtime, hours, deductions, salary, etc.	Commissions, bonuses, final paychecks, or certain fringe benefits.
Pay Period	Uses the company’s regular pay period.	Uses a separate payroll run and applicable dates.
Frequency	Recurring	Usually occasional or one-time.
Example	Employees are paid every other Friday.	An employee receives a $1,000 bonus on Wednesday.

How to Create a Payroll Schedule in QuickBooks Online Payroll?

The following are the steps to create a payroll schedule for employees in QuickBooks Online Payroll through the Employee details tab.

Click on Payroll, and then select Employees.
Choose your Employee and then tap the Start or Edit option.
Go to the Pay Schedule drop-down menu, click on it to select the pay schedule, or + Add pay schedule.
Complete the details in the fields appropriately and tap on the Save option.
Once done, select Save again after making the changes.

How to Create an Unscheduled Payroll in QuickBooks Online Payroll?

Here we have listed the step-by-step instructions to create an unscheduled payroll in QuickBooks Online.

Move to the Workers or Payroll menu and select Employees.
Click the Run Payroll option.
Search for the Employee you want to pay and click Create another check.
Now, enter the Employee’s compensation, including vacation or sick hours, any salary adjustments, and other payment types.
You need to confirm both your pay period and check date.
Tap on Preview Payroll and click Submit Payroll.
If you haven’t done so yet, handwrite or print the check. Then, you can give it to the Employee by the check date.
Once done, click the Finish Payroll option.

Things to Consider Before Running Unscheduled Payroll in QuickBooks Online

Here are some of the key points that you must consider before running unscheduled Payroll in QBO.

Verify which QuickBooks Online payroll plan supports the workflow.
Ensure that Payroll is already set up and employee information is up to date.
Make sure that the Employee is active or eligible.
Check the payment type, such as bonus, final paycheck, commission, etc.
Also, ensure that the pay period or pay date is accurate.
Check whether the payment is done via direct deposit or paper check
Test the applicable tax/payroll settings.

How to Run Payroll in QuickBooks Online?

Herein, we have provided proper step-by-step instructions to run scheduled or unscheduled Payroll for employees paid by direct deposit or paper check.

Steps to Run Scheduled Payroll

Here’s how to run scheduled Payroll in QuickBooks Online.

Select All Apps, click Payroll, and then Employees.
Browse to the Run Payroll option.
Choose the pay schedule you want to run and click Continue.
Select or check the Pay period and Pay Date.
Now, pick the employees that you want to pay.
Choose the column, or click Actions, then Edit paycheck to enter your pay details. Also, you can enter hours, compensation, memos, or other paycheck details.
Browse to Review Approved Time if you are using QuickBooks Time.
Click Preview Payroll and choose the bank account to track your Payroll.
Navigate to the Preview Payroll details or Submit Payroll.
After making the changes, select Close.

Steps to run unscheduled Payroll

You need to run unscheduled Payroll to pay your employees with bonuses, commission, or a final paycheck. It can also be used to report fringe benefits outside your regular payroll schedule. Here’s how to run unscheduled Payroll in QuickBooks Online.

Move to All Apps > Payroll > Employees.
Browse to the Run Payroll drop-down menu and pick any one of the following options;
- Bonus only
- Commission only
- Fringe benefits only
According to your selection, you will be asked additional questions. Mention any details regarding your taxes or paycheck calculations.
Once you are all set, click Continue.
Choose or review the pay period (if applicable) and pay date.
Next, pick the employees you wish to pay.
Now, select the column or click Actions > Edit paycheck to provide your pay details. Also, you can enter compensation, hours, memos, or any other paycheck info.
Tap on Review Approved Time if you are using QuickBooks Time.
Click Preview payroll or review the QuickBooks bank account to track your Payroll.
Move to Preview payroll details and pick any one of the following;
- Save for later
- Submit Payroll
Click Close after making all the necessary changes.

Result:

Now, your Payroll is submitted for processing. Employees using the direct deposit feature will get their payment on their specified pay date. Furthermore, you can now access and distribute the pay stubs.

Next Steps

Print or reprint paychecks and pay stubs

Move to All apps. A bunch of numbers and letters on a tile wall, then Payroll> Employees.
Choose Paycheck list beneath the Run Payroll option.
Now, pick the paycheck that you want to print. You can also choose the Filter drop-down arrow to change the Date range or Employee.
Click the Print pay stub option from the Action column.
This will open a preview of the paycheck or pay stubs. Then, click on the Printer icon to print.

How to Run Off-Cycle Payroll in QuickBooks Online?

An off-cycle payroll in QuickBooks Online basically means paying an employee outside the normal payroll schedule. However, in QBO payroll, an unscheduled payroll is the right workflow for the supported payment types like bonuses and commissions.

Initially, click All Apps > Payroll, and then select the Employees menu.
Choose the Run Payroll option.
Launch the Run Payroll drop-down and select the correct unscheduled payment type.
Now, enter the requested payroll information and pick the pay date.
Choose the employees and enter the payment details.
Click on Preview payroll and start reviewing the Payroll.
Lastly, browse to the Submit payroll option.

How do I turn off Payroll in QuickBooks Online?

To turn off Payroll in QuickBooks Online, you must log in to your QBO account as a Master Admin and then perform the steps given below.

Click on the Gear icon and choose Account and Settings.
Browse to Billing & Subscription from the left menu.
Tap on Cancel from the Payroll section.
Now, click on Continue to cancel.
Next, you need to complete the short survey and click Confirm Cancel.

How to Delete Unscheduled Payroll in QuickBooks?

You can only delete an unscheduled payroll in QuickBooks Online if you have not sent it to QuickBooks for processing. If QuickBooks does not provide you with the Delete option, it means that the Payroll has already been submitted or processed.

Here are the steps to delete the unscheduled Payroll in QBO;

First, log in to the QuickBooks Online application.
Move to All Apps and click Payroll.
Choose Employees > View Paychecks.
Search for the paycheck that you have created through the unscheduled payroll run.
After this, click the drop-down arrow in the Action column.
Click the Delete option.
Lastly, review the confirmation message. Then, confirm the deletion by clicking Save or the applicable confirmation option.

Bringing It Altogether

QuickBooks Unscheduled Payroll is useful for paying employees outside the regular payroll schedule, such as for bonuses, commissions, or final paychecks. By following the correct steps, you can run, manage, or delete an unscheduled payroll check while keeping your payroll records accurate. If you still require any further assistance, then connect with your BizBooksAdvice professionals for quick resolution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is unscheduled Payroll in QuickBooks Online?

Unscheduled Payroll is a payroll run processed outside your company’s regular pay schedule. It is commonly used for bonuses, commissions, final paychecks, or other eligible off-cycle payments.

How do I create an unscheduled check if I missed a payroll?

If you missed Payroll, first confirm whether employees were already paid. Then use the appropriate payroll correction or late-payroll process for your QuickBooks Payroll service to avoid duplicate payments or tax issues.

How do I set up unscheduled checks in QuickBooks Online?

Go to All apps > Payroll > Employees > Run Payroll. Select the appropriate unscheduled option, such as Bonus only or Commission only, enter the required details, review the check, and submit Payroll.

How do I cancel a payroll run in QuickBooks Online?

If Payroll hasn’t been submitted, you can leave it unsubmitted or remove eligible paychecks. If it has been submitted, the available cancellation or correction options depend on its processing status.

Can I delete a check after it has been submitted?

Generally, a submitted paycheck cannot simply be deleted. Depending on its status, you may need to void the paycheck or follow QuickBooks’ correction process.

About The Author

Jonathan Browns

Jonathan Brown is a trained QuickBooks professional with 10 years of experience in the accounting sector. Moreover, he is passionate about helping businesses reduce the stress of managing accounts. Also, he is proficient in assisting entrepreneurs and small business owners to use QuickBooks and enhance their accounting experience.