How to handle customer retainage retention in QBO


How to handle customer retainage retention in QuickBooks Online? Example: A customer we do work for keeps 20% of our invoiced amount until we reach a certain amount. That money is ours. They just hold it back in an account for us in case something goes wrong on a job that is our fault. How do I record that in QBO? DEFINITION: Retainage is a portion of the agreed-upon contract price deliberately withheld until the work is substantially complete to assure that contractor or subcontractor will satisfy its obligations and complete a construction project. Let’s get started with step-by-step instructions for you. 1) To set up retainage tracking in the Chart of Accounts and Products/Services: Create a new Retainage account in the Chart of Accounts:
    • From the left Dashboard panel, click Accounting.
    • In the Chart of Accounts, click the “New” green button at the far top right corner.
    • For Category Type, select Other Current Assets.
    • For Detail Type, select Retainage (at the near bottom).
    • For the Name, enter Retainage Receivable.
    • For the description, enter Retainage Receivable (same as Name).
    • Click Save and close.
    • See the screenshot below for reference.
    Create a Retainage item from the Products/Services:
    • Click the gear in the top-right corner of the screen.
    • From the drop-down menu, within the Lists section, select Products and Services.
    • In the Products and Services window, click the “New” green button at the far top right corner.
    • Select “Service” under Product/Service information
    • Enter a Name for the item (i.e. Retainage).
    • Optional: SKU and Category fields.
    • Under Sales Information, place a check-mark next to I sell this product/service to my customers and enter “Retainage Receivable” (this is for the description of sales forms i.e. Invoice).
    • Select the Retainage Receivable account (you just created) from the Income Account drop-down.
    • Be sure to Uncheck the “Is taxable” box.
    • Click Save and close.
    • See the screenshot below for reference.
    How do I record retainage or retention in QBO continue… The next step is to create an invoice/sales receipt with a retainage withhold line item. 2) To withhold retainage from an invoice/sales receipt:
    • Click the + plus symbol, located at the top of the screen.
    • Select Invoice under Customers heading.
    • Select your customer.
    • Fill out the remaining fields of the invoice, including the product/service line items.
    • Optional: if you’ve multiple line items, click “Add subtotal” (below Product/Service column).
    • On the next available line of the invoice, select “Retainage” from the Product/Service column.
    • In the Rate or Amount column, enter the amount of the retainage as a negative (-) number. (In this sample Invoice below, the subtotal line amount is $493.00 and 20% is retainage rate. So, either on rate or amount column, just enter 493*-.20 and tab it. You will get a negative $98.60 or just compute the amount and enter it).
    • Click Save and close.
    • See the screenshot below for reference.
    3) To record Received Retainage Refund Payment Deposit:
    • Click the + plus symbol, located at the top of the screen.
    • Select Bank Deposit under Others heading.
    • Go to “Add other funds to this deposit” section
    • Fill out Received From = Your Customer’s Name Account = Retainage Receivable And enter the rest as you need.
    • Save and close.
    • See the screenshot below for reference.
    4) To run a report on Retainage Receivable accounts from various customers:
    • From the left Dashboard panel, click Accounting.
    • In the Chart of Accounts, locate the “Retainage Receivable” account line.
    • Go to “View register” under the Action column at the far right corner.
    • From the drop-down arrow, select the “Run Report” button.
    • Under Row/Columns at the top left, change “Group by” to Customer (especially if you have multiple customers with retainage balances).
    • Click Run Report. This report will give account details by customer balances.
    • Since you will need to track these retainage activities regularly, click the “Save customization” green button, located in the top-left corner of the report window, and name it “Retainage” report and Save.
    • Now, you have saved this report for future use. Next time, when you want to run this report (Dashboard > Reports > Custom Reports tab > locate Retainage report and run the report).
    • See the screenshots below for reference.

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