Importing QB Online Payroll into QB for Mac Desktop

Thanks for reaching out. The issue I am having is that QB for Mac Desktop will not import an IIF file which contains QB payroll data.

When attempting to import QB for Mac Desktop backs up the company data file, but then fails to import the data...or provide an error code...it just backs up and then logs itself out of the company data file. 

Your work-around will not work because you cannot export the necessary data from QB online payroll to .csv file. Detailed payroll information is only available for export via IIF file.

We will be moving away from QB online payroll because of this issue, and the many support issues we have recently encountered from QB. Frankly we don't see the attention to detail when it comes to properly deploying software vs previous years. We were forced to move from Intuit Online Payroll to QB Online Payroll prior to QB working all the bugs out of the code.....which is unfortunate.  

I'd be delighted to guide you through moving your data from QuickBooks Online Payroll(QBO) to QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) for Mac, @JGM55.

I know this would be disappointing when the system is unable to perform a very important task. Worry no more, I'll help you transfer your data from the QuickBooks Online Payroll tax payments to QuickBooks for Mac.

The problem behind why we're unable to transfer tax payments is that QuickBooks Online Payroll has limited features unlike QuickBooks for Mac.

In this case, you'll initially need to convert the information from QBO to QBDT for Windows. Just a heads up, some data won't be converted because of feature differences. When you receive a message that says QuickBooks for Windows is best for your business, just click Yes.

Before getting started, there are a few things you'll want to be aware of:

• A Windows computer with Internet Explorer 11 or higher will be required.
• QBDT for Windows will need to be the same version as your QBDT for Mac product, or earlier. You can refer to our Download a trial for QBDT resource to obtain a 30-day trial copy that can be used for this process.

Once you're prepared, you can begin your data migration.

Here's how:

1. Export your files from QBO to QBDT for Windows.
2. Make sure the company file is open in QBDT for Windows.
3. Re-sort lists if necessary.
4. Perform a Verify Data. This identifies most known issues within files and informs users if their Rebuild Data tool needs to be utilized afterward.
5. In the top menu bar, go to File, Utilities, then Copy Company File for QuickBooks Desktop for Mac. This creates a MAC.qbb file that can be restored in QBDT for Mac.
6. Save your file in a preferred location. I'd recommend creating a backup copy as well.
7. Restore the data in QBDT for Mac.

a. On your No Company Open window, click Browse.

b. Locate the file you'd like to open.

c. If your QBDT for Windows company file is stored in an external drive, it's recommended that you move it to a local area on the computer you're working with. This helps avoid data corruption.

d. Once you see a prompt asking if you want to restore a QBDT for Windows file, hit OK.

e. Enter an appropriate name for your restored file, then select Save.

Now your tax payments and other details from QBOP will be imported into QBDT for Mac.

Furthermore, you'd be able to find many useful resources about using QuickBooks for Mac here: QuickBooks Desktop for Mac User's Guide.

I'll be here to assist if you have additional questions about moving data from two different programs. I'll be around to help. Take care and have a nice day.

To make sure we tackle the issue you're facing, could you clarify whether you are trying to import payroll data via an IIF file, which causes the software to back up and log you out, or trying to transfer payroll tax payments from QuickBooks Online Payroll to QuickBooks Desktop for Mac?

In the meantime, depending on which issue you are experiencing, here are the two most common paths forward:

• If you are having issues with importing IIF payroll files that lead to crashes or logging out, please follow the troubleshooting steps and workarounds in the first agent response. These steps address problems with file imports and format errors.

• If you are missing payroll tax payments, please follow these steps. First, use the process outlined in the second agent response. This will guide you to send your data through QuickBooks Desktop for Windows. You'll need to use the Copy Company File for QuickBooks Desktop for Mac utility to capture those records successfully.

Please let me know a bit more about what happens when you attempt the process, and we will get this resolved together!