How to Void or Delete Invoice in QuickBooks Online & Desktop

Here we will discuss how to void or delete invoices in QBO & QBD. It happens sometimes that a user creates or issues two same invoices to the wrong customer and it is very important to delete the duplicate invoice in QuickBooks before it gets attached to the customer’s bill. To do this you should know how to delete an invoice in QuickBooks. Luckily, we’ve got a simple method by which you can learn how to delete invoices in QuickBooks as well as void a bill or paycheck. For any kind of expert help, you can also dial our toll-free number +1-844-405-0904.

Difference between Delete and Void Invoice in QuickBooks.

Before knowing how to delete invoices in QuickBooks, it is important for you to know the difference between deleting and voiding invoices.

Deleting an invoice means you wipe out all related information too like invoice number and customer’s name on the other hand by voiding an invoice you only change the invoice amount to zero other information like invoice number and customer’s name will remain in records for future references.

These two activities will make a difference in the way your books are arranged and presented within the QB. Clear invoices must be removed directly unless they are needed for a later date. By deleting an invoice, users will permanently delete it from their company’s file. On the other hand, zero cancels a particular payment or invoice. To prevent a particular payment from being realized by the QB, select void. To remove a receipt from QB, choose Delete.

If you want to perform both of these actions then you need to first void the transaction and then click on delete. It will terminate the payment process as well as remove the receipt from your documents. QB Online and QB hosting users will be capable to recover invoices after deleting them but this will not be a possibility for QB desktop or QB Mac users. Hence, make sure to back up your data before making any substantial changes.

How to Delete Invoice in QuickBooks

It is recommended for you to delete only those invoices that have not been printed or distributed to customers. Otherwise, you’ll not have any prior record of the invoice in QuickBooks.

Follow the below steps to delete the duplicate or wrong invoice.

How to Delete Invoice in QuickBooks
Void or Delete Invoices in QuickBooks
  • Open QuickBooks Online and go to Transactions in the left side navigational panel.
  • In ‘Transaction’, select Sales’.
  • From the list of all transactions open the invoice you want to delete.
  • Click on the ‘More’ button at the bottom after the invoice is open.
  • In ‘More’ click on the ‘Delete’ option.
  • At last, a pop-up window will appear asking if you want to confirm your action.

How to Void Invoice in QuickBooks

You can void invoices if you want to keep a record like an invoice or reference number and vendor’s name in QuickBooks. To void an invoice follow the below procedure.

how to delete an invoice in quickbooks
Void an Invoice in QuickBooks
  • Open QuickBooks, then go to the homepage and click on the ‘Create Invoice’ icon.
  • Here from the list select the invoice you want to void.
  • After you find the desired invoice, click ‘Edit’ from the menu bar.
  • In the edit menu, you’ll find the option to Void or Delete an Invoice.
  • Click on the void invoice button, then Save and Close to apply changes.

Void Invoice from the Previous Year in QuickBooks

If you directly void the invoice from the last year then the income generated will be removed on the date of the invoice i.e. last year. To remove income from the current year, you need to create a credit memo first and then void the invoice.

  • Go to the ‘+’ icon and then click on the Credit memo option.
  • Here, choose the same customer whose invoice you want to void.
  • Then, Enter the customer or vendor details and the amount you want to void.
  • Save and close to create a credit memo.
  • Now you can simply void the invoice.

Void or Delete Transactions in QuickBooks Online

Follow these steps to void or delete transactions in QuickBooks Online:

Step 1: Decide whether to void or delete the transaction

When to void a transaction

In most circumstances, it is most beneficial to void the transaction rather than delete it. In this way, the transaction does not change your account balance or report, but you must have a record of it. It is an important part of good accounting.

Note: If you want to void an invoice then QuickBooks has not to void any payment you have entered for the invoice. You can apply the payment to a separate invoice.

QuickBooks contains some transactions that you cannot void: estimates, deposits, supplier credits, purchase orders, late fees, or delayed credits. You cannot void bills, but you can able to void bill payments.

When to delete a transaction

Only delete a transaction if you are sure that you do not want its records in the future. When you delete a transaction, it means you fully eliminate it from your books. It will not appear anywhere in your report or your accounts. You can use your audit log to retrieve some items, but you cannot recover transactions. You are capable of deleting any type of transaction in QuickBooks.

Note: If you are still not sure when to void or delete a transaction then we recommend you contact your accountant. 

Step 2: Void or delete the transaction

After you select to void or delete a transaction, here’s how to do it:

  • Open QuickBooks and go to the Sales or Expense menu.
  • Navigate and open the transaction.
  • Examine the transaction. Be sure what you want to void or delete it.
  • If you desire to enter the void or delete the date then attach a note to the Memo or Message section.
  • Choose More in the footer. Then click on Void or Delete.
  • Choose Yes to approve.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To review your invoices that you recently voided/deleted, go to Reports<Accountant and Taxes<Voided/Deleted transactions Summary.

If you want that QuickBooks keeps the record of the transaction but cancel the payment amount to zero you can void the invoice and if you want to remove all traces of the transaction then you can delete an invoice in QuickBooks. We recommended you void first and then delete the invoice.

Currently, QuickBooks doesn’t provide any feature or option to delete multiple invoices at the same time. You need to view and then delete the invoices one by one.


Conclusion

We hope that now you’ve learned how to delete an invoice in QuickBooks but before doing this you should know when to delete and void an invoice in QuickBooks.

If you are still finding difficulties in understanding the concept of QuickBooks and some accounting aspects, then you can have assistance from our team of QuickBooks ProAdvisor. Our professionals are Intuit certified and possess years of experience. To know more about the accounting services we provide contact us via our 24*7 toll-free customer support number +1-844-405-0904.

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