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December 28, 2023
Question

can't withhold medicare/ss tax from an employee without an error msg

  • December 28, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views

We migrated from Desktop.  One of our employees was listed twice by a previous bookkeeper.  I could not pay him at all, so I worked with support to delete the double and be able to pay him.  PROBLEM!!  It auto checked on his tax withholding that he is medicare/ss exempt.  He is not.  When I try to say he is not it gives the following error again: The name supplied already exists. : Another employee is already using this name. Please use a different name.

But there is no one else by that name or ssn.  Help!!

1 reply

December 28, 2023

I assure you that I can assist you in fixing this error. @Mary828.

 

The error message " The name supplied already exists. : Another employee is already using this name" is usually caused by the following:

  • Importing data from QuickBooks Desktop or turning on payroll after adding employees in QuickBooks Online.
  • The customer, vendor, or employee name you're trying to add already exists in QuickBooks Online.

 

Let's check if the employee that you want to pay already exists as a Customer or Vendor. If it does, change the display name of the Customer or Vendor so it shows as "Last name first". If it doesn't, set the Employee List to All Employees and make sure there are no inactive employees with the same name.

 

If you won't see the employee on the list, add them with a"1" to their last name. If they're on the list add a "1" to the last name of the current employee profile. You can also edit and add a middle name if the duplicate employee name has inactive status.

 

Here's how:

 

  1. From the Employee List, select the inactive employee
  2. Add a middle name under the M.I. field.
  3. Once done, hit Save.

 

After that, you can proceed with editing the tax-exempt status of the employee you want to process or run payroll.

 

If you’re still getting the error, I recommend contacting our customer support team to obtain further assistance. They have the expertise and tools to help you troubleshoot the problem and provide the most accurate guidance.

 

In addition, if you want to add deductions to your employees and set up retirement plans, you can check this article for information: Set up, change, or delete employee-paid payroll deductions.

 

Should you need additional assistance in your payroll, feel free to include them in the comments below by clicking the Reply button. Stay safe!

Mary828Author
December 28, 2023

Thanks for replying.

 

He shows as active. 

Previously, there was a double of him showing as inactive, but I spoke with a representative from QB and we deleted the double. That did allow him to show up in my payroll, but his tax settings are incorrect.  

I have done all of the steps you listed.  The problem, as I stated earlier, is that once you hit save in the final step 3 of your message,  the following error pops up: The name supplied already exists. : Another employee is already using this name. Please use a different name.

I can't use a different name!! What a crazy suggestion!

 

He also tried to go into his workforce and redo his w2, but it also gives a very vague error message with no direction on how to proceed.  

 

Any other ideas? 

December 28, 2023

Hello there, @Mary828.

 

I understand the importance of being able to correct your employee's withholding tax. The best thing we can do is to contact our support again so they can thoroughly review the employee setup and help resolve the error message you're getting. To do so, here's how:

 

  1. Sign in to your QuickBooks Online company.
  2. Go to Help. Then select Contact Us.
  3. Write your concern, then choose Let's talk.
  4. Pick a way to connect with us:
  • Start a chat with a support expert.
  • Get a callback from the next available expert.
  • Ask the community to get help from businesses like yours.

 

Please note that QBO Payroll Core's support team is from 6 AM to 6 PM PT, Monday to Friday. For QBO Payroll Elite and Premium, you can contact them any time, any day. 

 

If you want to know more about setting up your employees' payroll deductions, you can check this article: Set up, change, or delete employee-paid payroll deductions.

 

I appreciate the efforts you've made. Please know that we're always here to provide support if you need more assistance fixing your employee's withholding tax.