How to record loan forgiveness in QuickBooks Online?

Asked by: Mrs. Oleta Nikolaus IV  |  Last update: August 8, 2026
Score: 4.1/5 (15 votes)

To record loan forgiveness in QuickBooks Online, create a journal entry to debit the loan liability account and credit an "Other Income" account for the forgiven amount. Ensure the transaction date matches when the loan was officially forgiven. This removes the liability and correctly shows the non-taxable income.

How to record a forgiven loan in QuickBooks?

Recording your forgiveness in Quickbooks Online Head into the chart of accounts section on Quickbooks Online (under Accounting) and create 2 accounts. The first one will be a long term liability account type, with the detail type notes payable, and you'll name it PPP loan.

How to record a forgiven loan?

The extinguished or forgiven amount of the loan shall be recorded separately in the Awardee's records as an unamortized gain which will be amortized over the life of the related loan.

How to categorize loan repayment in QuickBooks?

Go to Settings and select Chart of Accounts. Click on New. Choose either Other Current Liabilities or Long Term Liabilities from the Account Type drop-down list, depending on the loan type and repayment time frame. Select either Other Current Liabilities or Long Term Liabilities from the Detail Type dropdown list.

How to record loan repayment in accounting?

When recording your loan and loan repayment in your general ledger, your business will enter a debit to the cash account to record the receipt of cash from the loan and a credit to a loan liability account for the outstanding loan.

How To Record PPP Loan Forgiveness In QuickBooks Online | QBO Tutorial | Home Bookkeeper

15 related questions found

What is the journal entry for a loan repayment?

First, you must debit the loan account. This is an entry that shows a decrease in liability, like reducing the amount you owe to the lender. This reduces the liability on your financial records. At the same time, you'll credit the cash account to reflect the actual cash payment you've made toward the loan.

Is loan repayment an operating expense?

Interest – only the interest portion of loan repayments are counted as an expense. The principal is not an operating expense. Principal repayments are recorded as a finance expense.

How to categorize loan repayment?

Classifying loan payment expenses

  1. If the loan is for daily operations, it's an operating expense.
  2. If it's for long-term assets like real estate or equipment, it's a capital expenditure.
  3. If it's managing existing debts, it falls under debt service.

Is loan repayment an expense?

In simple terms, Loans aren't an expense because you have to pay them back. You're borrowing the money but you haven't spent the money yet. As you spend, that will become an expense.

How to record employee loan repayment in QuickBooks?

Go to Employees, then Employee Center. Select your employee. Select Payroll Info, then add the repayment item in the Additions, Deductions, and Company Contributions section. Select OK, when you're done.

How to account for a forgivable loan?

An entity should recognize the entire loan amount as a financial liability (if a classified balance sheet is presented, the liability will be classified as current or noncurrent under ASC 470-10-45), with interest accrued and expensed over the term of the loan.

Does a forgiven loan count as income?

In general, if your debt is canceled, forgiven, or discharged for less than the amount owed, the amount of the canceled debt is taxable. If taxable, you must report the canceled debt on your tax return for the year in which the cancellation occurred.

What type of account is debt forgiveness?

Debt forgiveness is when a lender agrees to wipe out some or all of your account balance. It's a strategy some people use to reduce debts such as credit cards, personal loans and student loans.

How do you record debt forgiveness in accounting?

Upon legal release, you would reduce the liability and record a gain on extinguishment of debt for the portion that is forgiven. Extinguishment of debt can be presented in the other income (expense) section of your income statement.

How to reconcile a loan account in QuickBooks Online?

Step-by-Step: Reconciling a Loan Account

  1. Go to Settings → Reconcile in QBOA.
  2. Select your loan liability account.
  3. Enter the ending balance and ending date from your loan statement or amortization schedule.
  4. Click Start Reconciling.
  5. Match each payment and transaction in QuickBooks to those on your statement.

Are forgiven SBA loans taxable?

While SBA loans are not taxable as income, certain situations may trigger tax implications. If a portion of your loan is forgiven, such as with a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) advance, that forgiven amount may be taxable at the state level.

What is the entry for loan repayment?

Journal entry in case of loan repayment:

Debit: Loan A/c. Credit: Cash/bank A/c.

Is loan repayment a fixed expense?

Fixed expenses, such as rent, insurance premiums, and loan payments, provide stability in your financial planning, allowing you to make informed decisions about your spending.

Is loan repayment a financing activity?

Finance activities include the issuance and repayment of equity, payment of dividends, issuance and repayment of debt, and capital lease obligations.

What is the double entry for loan repayment?

Double entry bookkeeping for liabilities

You're adding to your cash while also increasing what you owe (liabilities) so the entries are DR Cash, CR Creditors. As you pay back the loan, the repayment entries are reversed – CR cash, DR Creditors.

What type of account is a loan repayment?

Answer and Explanation: Loan repayment in the company entails giving money out of business, which adds up the expenses experienced within the time of loan repayment; hence it's part of the liabilities in accounting.

Are loan repayments included in P&L?

When calculating a profit and loss account, not every type of expense or revenue should be recorded. Expenses on assets and cash injections such as loans or loan repayments are usually excluded.

Does loan repayment count as an expense?

Business loan repayments by themselves are not tax deductible because they aren't considered a business expense. They're repayments of money your business has borrowed.

What type of expenditure are loan repayments?

Solution: Loan repayments are a type of fixed expenditure. This is because the payment amount is usually set and must be paid regularly over a specific period.

Is loan repayment a liability?

The loan's principal balance is a liability such as Loans Payable or Notes Payable. The principal payments that are required in the next 12 months should be classified as a current liability. The remaining amount of principal owed should be classified as a long-term (or noncurrent) liability.