QuickBooks Adds Deposits on Estimates
If you need upfront payments to start work, QuickBooks Online just made life easier. With the new Deposits on Estimates feature, you can now request a deposit directly from an estimate—and track it properly in your books.
This update helps service-based businesses secure commitments without breaking their accounting process.
💡 Key Benefits at a Glance:
Request deposits straight from estimates
Track payments as liabilities until work begins
No more converting estimates to invoices early
Cleaner books and better cash flow visibility
Why It Matters
Before this update, many users had to send fake invoices or use clunky workarounds just to take a deposit. That approach wasn’t ideal—it messed with cash flow reporting and created bookkeeping headaches.
Now, when a customer pays a deposit:
It’s recorded correctly as a liability
It’s automatically applied once the estimate becomes an invoice
It helps you stay compliant and accurate in your accounting
Who Should Use This?
If you run a business that starts work only after a customer pays a deposit—like:
Contractors
Custom builders
Event planners
Caterers
Freelancers or developers
…then this feature can save you time, reduce errors, and protect your business.
How It Works
Create an estimate like you normally would.
Add a deposit amount at the bottom of the form.
Send the estimate — customers can pay online immediately.
QuickBooks tracks the deposit until the job starts.
You’ll be notified when the deposit is viewed or paid, and your accounting stays clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is this available to all users?
A: It’s rolling out gradually—check your account to see if you have access. You may see a message noting limited availability.
Q: Where do I find it?
A: On your estimate form in QuickBooks Online. Look for a “Deposit request” option near the bottom.
Q: How does this affect bookkeeping?
A: Deposits are recorded as liabilities—not income—until the estimate is converted to an invoice.
Need Help Getting Started?
Not sure if you have access or how to use it effectively? We help all kinds of businesses set up QuickBooks in ways that actually make life easier. Let’s make sure your estimate and payment workflows are working for you.
👉 Contact Peak Advisers for expert QuickBooks help