My pay isn't properly reflected in Budget or Reports

Question

My paycheck is set up to automatically feed various spending and income categories.  My gross pay is tied to the category "Salary".  However, when reporting or viewing the Budgets section of Planning, it isn't reflected (when the "Actuals Only" drop down is selected).  The amount reflected is a "0" that is highlighted in blue.  If I click on the zero, it shows a dialog box that correctly has the paycheck amount reflected even though the report says 0.  Additionally, it seems to think I've already been paid for the rest of the year.  All the months show 0 but I can click on the blue 0 and see the amounts from paychecks I haven't yet received (the taxes show the same way throughout the year but do reflect the amounts, not a 0).  Any ideas?

Sherlock · Answer

As you proceeded to create the new temporary checking account, I will assume the issue reproduced in the new budget view.  So, the issue is not budget specific.

I will also assume when you say The budget report does not reflect any actual amounts, you were referring to the new budget view with only the new account and the Salary category, and the amount was 0.  So, the issue is also not account specific.

And, as the original symptom also appears to reproduce in the new budget with only the new account and the Salary category using a new Paycheck reminder and transaction, the issue is pointing at the Salary category.

To confirm the issue is Quicken file specific, I suggest you create temporary test Quicken file (select File > New Quicken File...), create the offline account, the paycheck reminder, enter the paycheck, and create the budget with only Salary.

Scout_998 · Answer

OK, I backed up then created a new budget with Salary only.  I then created a new Temporary Test Checking account and entered a pay transaction tied to the category Salary.  The budget report does not reflect any actual amounts.

I then deleted the manual transaction and went through the Paycheck Wizard and set up a Bill and Income Reminder for Income for $10,000 tied to the temporary offline account and referencing pay to the Salary category.  I entered the paycheck from the Bill and Income Reminder list.  The $10,000 amount showed in the temporary account, tied to Salary.  However, when I go to Planning and Budgets, the temporary budget shows 0 in the actual amount.  If I click on the blue 0 for January, it shows $10,000 from the paycheck in the pop up window.  This seems to be working the same way as my real account and paycheck.

Any additional thoughts?  I can delete the current Reminder and start over with my paycheck and see if that helps, but given that the test Reminder I just entered, it seems like that may not work.  I'm thinking something is odd about the Salary category and maybe I should create a new category for income and see if that works?

Scout_998 · Answer

Thanks!  I'll try this over the weekend.  The "Select Categories to Budget" window you provided is different than the one I see in my system.  I don't have a Paychecks option to budget the category.  Also, I did a zero based budget to create the 2021 budget, thus not using 2020 or other data in the system.  I manually added each line item, including Salaries, withholding taxes, 401(k), etc...  I'll back-up and try the suggestions this weekend!