You need to set up first a current liability account for the upfront payment, @evinna. This is because upfront payments and retainers are liabilities, not income, even though you deposit the money into your bank account.

Here's how to create a liability account:
 

1. Go to the Gear icon, then select Chart of accounts.
2. Click the New button.
3. You can name the account as Upfront Deposit.
4. Choose Current liabilities for the Account type and Detail type.
5. Select Save.
   

Once the account is created, you need to make a service item to use when recording upfront deposits or retainers.

Here's how to create a service item:

1. Go to Sales, then select Products & Services.
2. Click the New button, then choose Service.
   
3. Select Service for the Item type.
4. You can name the service item as Upfront Deposit.
5. Choose the Upfront Deposit for the Income account.
6. Click Save and close.

Once done, you can now use this item to record upfront deposits or retainers you accept.

When you receive an upfront deposit or retainer from a customer, you need to record it.

1. Go to Customers & leads, then select Customers.
2. Pick Create sales receipt for the corresponding customer.
3. Under Product/Service, choose Upfront Deposit.
4. Fill out the necessary information, then select either Save or Save and send option.

This way, the deposit or retainer will be recorded as a liability.

When you receive a retainer or upfront deposit for a service item, it's important to create an invoice for that service item to formally document the transaction. 

Also, when you provide the service for which you accepted an upfront deposit or retainer, and it's time to collect payment, you can apply the upfront deposit or retainer as payment on the invoice. This moves the deposit from the liability account to your income account.

There are two ways to do this:

• Enter the upfront deposit or retainer as a line item on the invoice
• Apply the upfront deposit or retainer as a credit

Once your concern is addressed, you may find this article useful for providing customers with summaries of their invoices: Create and send customer statements in QuickBooks Online.

If you have any questions regarding managing invoices with upfront payments or anything related to QuickBooks, please don't hesitate to leave a comment.