Balancing a checkbook is simply determining what you don't know that the bank has done and what you have done that the bank doesn't know. It is really very easy. These instructions will show you how to do this. They should be used in conjunction with the "Balance Your Checkbook" worksheet.

(A)Checkbook Balance
Put the balance you show in your checkbook for the date of your bank statement right here.

(B)Bank Balance
Put the balance from your bank statement here. Checkbook Balance and Bank Balance should be for the same date.

(C)Additions to checkbook balance
These are items the bank added to your account without you knowing about them. Things like dividends and interest would go on these lines.

(D)Additions to bank balance
Items that you have deposited that have not been credited to your acount yet (as of the statement date) go here. Anything that you know will get added should go on these lines.

(E)Total checkbook addtions
Simply add up all the addtions to your checkbook listed above and place the total here.

(F)Total bank additions
Add up all the addtions to your bank balance listed above and place the total here.

(G)Subtotal checkbook balance
Add line (E) to line (A) and put the total here.

(H)Subtotal bank balance
Add line (F) to line (B) and put the total here.

(J)Subtractions from checkbook balance
List all the items the bank charged you that you did not know about until you got the statement. Things like bank fees, check charges, an other charges go here. Watch for bank errors that might have been charged and are not yours.

(K)Subtractions from bank balance
Here is where you will put outstanding checks that have not hit the bank yet. Also debit card use that has not been posted yet will go here. Be sure to list everything you show that has not been charged by the bank as of the statement date.

(L)Total checkbook subtractions
Add up all the subtractions to your checkbook listed above and place the total here.

(M)Total bank subtractions
Add up all the subtracitons from your bank balance above and place the total here.

(N)Balanced checkbook total
Subtract line (L) from line (G) and put the total here.

(P)Balance bank total
Subtract line (M) from line (H) and put the total here.