I'm trying to input previous months of payroll but it's not allowing me to select a date far enough back

Let's ensure you can enter payroll data, shelljones.

Beforehand, have you encountered an error message when selecting a date? Any information and screenshots added will help us resolve the problem.

In QuickBooks Online (QBO), if you started payroll in quarter 1, enter individual paychecks for the current quarter. If you begin in quarters 2, 3, or 4, input year-to-date payroll as lump-sum amounts through the most recently closed quarter, then enter individual paychecks for the current quarter. The option to enter the entire year's payroll history as individual paychecks are unavailable for the past quarter 2. For more details, check this link: Add pay history.

Additionally, if you imported from QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT), set up all employees, including inactive ones. Some payroll providers might combine Social Security and Medicare as FICA, input the FICA total in the Social Security field, and the system will split the taxes automatically. If you signed up for payroll in a previous year but didn't complete your pay history or create any payrolls, the system moves the start date (FUD) forward, preventing the entry of payroll history for the previous year. You can re-enter or edit your payroll history if you haven't run a new payroll.

If you have already paychecks created, you can contact our payroll specialist. They have tools to help you add historical data from the current pay stub.

1. Go to the (?) Help icon.
2. Select Talk to a Human.
3. Enter a short description of your concern.
4. Click on I still need a human.
5. Tap Contact Us to connect with our live support.
6. Choose to Get a callback.

Furthermore, you can run your payroll reports to have a quick view of the transactions that you've created.

Let me know if you have other questions about running payroll tax history in QuickBooks. I'm always here to help. Take care.

@shelljones 

Which QB Desktop year version did you use?