Easy Tech TutsHow to Process Credit Card Payments in QuickBooks Online Easily 2026
By Impran M N
Chasing paper checks or juggling a separate card terminal slows down getting paid. QuickBooks Payments lets you charge a customer's card directly from a Sales Receipt, take details over the phone, or send a secure pay link attached to an invoice. Here's how the process works.
01Start a Sales Receipt or Receive Payment
Click + New, then choose Sales Receipt or Receive Payment under the Customers column.
02Select the customer and payment method
Choose the client from the dropdown, then set Credit Card as the payment method.
03Enter card details securely
Click Enter Card Details to open the encrypted Intuit input form, then type the card number, expiration date, and billing zip code.
04Process the transaction
Check the Process Credit Card box to instruct QuickBooks to run the real-time charge.
05Or send a pay link on an invoice
Alternatively, enable the credit card pay option on an emailed invoice so customers can enter their own card details through a secure self-serve link, then track the settlement in your Deposits ledger.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to type customer card numbers directly into QuickBooks?
Yes, the card entry form runs through Intuit's encrypted processing system rather than storing raw numbers in your regular records.
What's the difference between charging a card directly and sending a payment link?
Charging directly means you key in the details yourself, while a payment link lets the customer securely enter their own card information.
Where do processed payments show up afterward?
They flow into your Deposits ledger, where you can track settlement timelines and payout batches.
Do I need a special account to process credit cards this way?
Yes, this relies on QuickBooks Payments being activated as your merchant services provider.
Watch the full walkthrough
The same steps, demonstrated on screen from start to finish.
