Looking to simplify ACH payments to vendors/contractors. I use the "import vendor" tool & it looks like it can't collect ACH info. Is there some other way to do this?

Hi there, Christian. Thank you for contacting us regarding the Pay a Contractor add-on in QuickBooks Online (QBO). 

We appreciate your interest in test-driving this feature. However, the test drive feature is unavailable.

Nevertheless, I have good news for you! We offer a free 30-day trial for QuickBooks Online, which includes all the features and add-ons available. During this trial period, you can explore the Pay a Contractor add-on and experience its functionality firsthand.

To get started with the free trial, visit our website and sign up for a new account. Once logged in, you can access the full features, including the Pay a Contractor add-on. 

See this article for more details: QuickBooks Contractor Payments.

Beyond that, I've provided this article to examine your employees and business closely. This will guide you on accessing some of your payroll data: Run Payroll Reports.

Should you have any questions or other concerns about managing your contractors in QBO, please post a comment below. I'll be happy to help. Wishing you all the best. 

@christianhclark 

Another option, signup for a separate Melio account for free to integrate with QBO. You can pay how you want - including credit card (2.9%) and debit card (2.9%) - and your contractor will get an ACH bank transfer directly to their account. If you pay using a credit or debit card, your payment (until 2 pm ET / 11 am PT) will be delivered via ACH the same business day for no additional fee. ACH bank transfer is free, takes up to 3 business days, and is trackable. There’s also an option for fast ACH (1% fee for eligible payment). In our experience, we always receive payments from our clients within 24 hours during business hours with ACH for free.

https://affiliates.meliopayments.com/pricing

Here’s how to pay your contractor with ACH:

1. Sign in to your Melio account.

2. Click Pay in the left sidebar.

3. Add a bill or select one from your inbox.

4. Select how you want to pay. Click Continue.

5. When asked to select a delivery method, click Bank transfer (ACH).

6. Fill in the vendor’s routing number and bank account number. Click Save bank details. The contractor’s details will be saved in Contacts for future payments.

7. Select a date for your payment to be deducted. Click Continue.

8. (Optional) Leave a memo for your contractor. The default is the invoice number. Click Continue.

9. Carefully review the details in the Review & confirm page. Click Confirm and schedule payment to complete the process.

10. If this is your first time making a payment with Melio, enter your business’s legal details. This needs to be done only once. Click Complete and save.

You’ll get an email summarizing the details of this payment. They’ll notify your contractor that their payment is on the way.

I don't understand why I can't simply pay a bill using bank account number and routing number without printing and mailing a check without using an add on to quick books. 

My office recently switched to Quick Book and now do all bill paying printing checks except payroll is direct deposit for my staff and physicians. 

Quick books should have the option to either print checks (like doing presently) or send directly via ACH.

Am I missing something?

Paul Wein

[email address removed]

Hi, I am using the Contractor/Direct Deposit feature in QBO rather than the Bill Pay.  It is ABSOLUTELY worth the money!!!  The Bill Pay feature is not user friendly at all and most payments took 7-14 days, even if I did an ACH.  With Contractor payments the money is in their account the next day!  There are two drawbacks to using Contractor payments. One, you have to set them up basically twice, once as a vendor and once as a contractor. Then in the vendor information, you have to check the box that says Track as a 1099 vendor otherwise they will not show up on your contractor list.  At the end of the year when you are running 1099's, you just have to uncheck the ones that aren't supposed to get a 1099.  It was pretty easy to do.  Two, every contractor is a $6 fee per month, however there are no per transaction fees.  For our company, it is worth the price as we have so many contractors that want their money the next day.  Hope this helps!  I tend to find work-arounds for Quickbooks any way I can for those things that are a pain!  🙂