Customer Discounts

Thanks for getting in touch with the Community, PremierRef2019. I appreciate your detailed information.

You can create Discount items to apply a discount while recording payments. You can also add a discount item directly on invoices.

Here's how to create a Discount item and use it on an invoice:
 

1. In the top menu bar, go to Lists.
2. Access your Item list.
3. Click the Item button.
4. Choose New.
5. Pick Discount from your Type drop-down list.
6. Enter any necessary information. You'll have an option to set a discount percentage or specified dollar amount. as well as which account's used to track the discounts.
7. Select OK when you're finished.
8. Add the discount item to your invoice.

The placement of a discount item determines how it's applied. If you need a discount to apply to a sum of multiple items, Intuit recommends using a Subtotal item, followed by your discount item for it to be applied to the correct amount.

In regard to adding discounts automatically, I can certainly understand how such an ability could be useful and have submitted a suggestion about it as of today. You can also submit your own feature requests while using QuickBooks. You additionally have the option of searching apps in our Desktop Marketplace. The use of applications may be able to help you achieve what you're looking to accomplish.

If you're unsure whether using discounts could make invoices show a balance due, I'd recommend checking with an accounting professional. If you're in need of one, there's an awesome tool on our website called Find a ProAdvisor. All ProAdvisors listed there are QuickBooks-certified and able to provide helpful insights for driving your business's success.

Please feel welcome to send a reply if there's any additional questions. Have a wonderful Monday!

RE: Can we set that up so it is automatic when we apply payments to specific invoices?

No. While the calculation of the discount can be done for you based on the terms used on the invoice, as you're recording the payment you have to click the Discounts and Credits button, review the calculated discount, and then click Done for it to reduce the invoice balance due.

A discount applied as you enter a payment on the invoice balance doesn't impact the invoice sent to the customer.