Since this is a known error, a fix might be just around the corner, but in the meantime I have two handy workarounds to help you with this error.
The Billable Expenses error happens when trying to add Additional Billable Expenses to an Existing Invoice. Let's say you have an existing invoice and need to add additional Billable Expenses, but the right hand menu listing all the Billable Expenses you normally would choose from does not appear, so there is no other way to include these charges.
This menu disappearance error doesn't exist when creating a new invoice, but only vanishes (presto chango) when dealing with a previously created invoice.
Here are two workarounds when you need to add additional expenses to an existing invoice, but these fixes are not interchangeable. Each “workaround” will only fix the missing menu, causing it to reappear in the applicable scenario as outlined below.
Scenario One
You already have an invoice with items and description, but no Existing Billable Expenses, and now you wish to add them.
Example of invoice with NO existing Billable expense
QBO Error 2Tips Figure 1
Workaround No. 1 – Create a Copy of the Invoice
The workaround of creating a copy of the invoice retains all the existing items and descriptions in the invoice and the Billable Expenses Menu appears. At this point, you can add the additional expenses and finish the invoice. Remember to delete the original invoice.
QBO Error 2Tips Figure 2
Step 1 – At the bottom of the invoice screen select "More," then "Copy" (as shown above). The created copy has all of the line items and descriptions as the original.
Step 2 – Add the Billable Expenses from the Invoice Menu (as shown below).
QBO Error 2Tips Figure 3
Scenario Two
You already have an Invoice with Billable Expenses. (Note: If you do not already have billable expenses, this workaround will not work.)
Example of invoice with existing Billable expenses and missing Billable Expenses Menu
QBO Error 2Tips Figure 4
Workaround No. 2 – Delete a Billable Expense Line
The workaround of deleting a billable expense line from an invoice with billable expenses already on it results in reappearance of the Billable Expenses Menu. At that point, you then can add an additional expenses and finish the invoice.
Step 1 – Delete any line that represents billable expenses from the invoice. (Note: In the case of our example above, you could delete either line 1 or line 2.) Select "Delete" and confirm you want to unlink the billable expense from the invoice.
QBO Error 2Tips Figure 5
Step 2 – Deletion of any one line of Billable Expenses from an existing Invoice has fixed the error and the Billable Expenses Menu now has reappeared. Add the rest of your billable expenses to the invoice from the menu.
QBO Error 2Tips Figure 6
With these workarounds you have advanced yourself to the status of "Hero" with your QuickBooks Online clients needing to invoice for their billable expenses.