How to set up payroll direct deposit in QuickBooks Online

You can easily set up payroll direct deposit in QuickBooks Online. After the initial set up you can put each employee on direct deposit and also verify a test transaction.

In this article, you'll learn how to:

• Know what to be aware of
• Set up direct deposit
• Verify a direct deposit test transaction
• Set up each employee on direct deposit
• Check direct deposit limits and processing times

Things to be aware of

Here are some things to note about direct deposit:

• You must approve paycheques that are being paid through direct deposit based on your direct-deposit payment speed.
  • Next-day model: Approve payroll by 5 PM PT (8PM ET) the day before payday.
  • 2-day model: Approve payroll by 5 PM PT (8 PM ET) at least 2 business days before payday.
  • 5-day model: Approve payroll by 5 PM PT (8 PM ET) at least 5 business days before payday.
• It can take up to 3 days to complete the risk analysis after setting up.
• Always confirm that all account numbers and information is correct. Incorrect information can cause a delay or result in funds not being sent to an employee.
• A best practice is to begin direct deposit set up the day after running a payroll with paper cheques to ensure you are not in a Pending state when it’s time to run your next payroll.
• Direct deposit set up and verification can sometimes take up to a week.
• The Principal Officer is the owner of the bank account being set up for direct deposit.
• Email communications for direct deposit will be sent to the Primary admin on file, but the ID verification email and the verify bank account email will go to both the Principal Officer (bank owner) and the Primary admin.
• Most companies will receive an ID verification email from notify@Quickbase.com requesting proof of identification and more information. The Principal Officer must respond to this email with the appropriate documentation prior to using direct deposit; it can take up to 2 business days to approve once the identification is submitted. To learn more on how to upload your government identification, see this article.

Note: Review the direct deposit processing timeline for information on how long the direct deposit process will take once you've submitted payroll.

Set up direct deposit

1. Select the Settings ⚙️ icon, then Payroll settings.
2. Select Bank Accounts.
3. Complete the required fields for your Business, Principal Officer, and Bank account.
4. Select Save.

You'll receive a confirmation email prompting you to verify your informationby uploading a copy of your identification. Once the information is verified, you'll receive another email confirming your pre-authorized debits.

Verify a direct deposit test transaction

It is necessary to verify the direct deposit test transactions after the initial set up. Two small debits of less than $1.00 (CAD) each are charged to your account as a test within 2 - 3 business days.

To verify these amounts:

1. Select the Settings ⚙️ icon, then Payroll settings.
2. Select the edit icon next to Bank accounts, then select Verify your account. This option becomes available 24 - 48 hours after the bank account information is entered.
3. Enter the two test transaction amounts in boxes (less than $1.00). Enter the cents only, without a dollar sign. (for example, 47 for $0.47)
4. Select Verify.

After successful verification, you're ready to set up employees.

If you don't see these transactions within 3 business days of entering direct deposit information into your Payroll settings, follow these steps to trigger the test transaction again:

1. Select the Settings ⚙️ icon, then Payroll settings.
2. Select the edit icon next to Bank accounts, then select Verify test transaction.
3. To reset the test transaction, enter $0.01 in the boxes below and select verify 3 times. Doing this will fail the test transaction and let you add the banking information again.
4. Go back to Payroll Settings and select the Edit button next to the Bank Account field.
5. Re-enter the correct bank account information.
6. Select Continue to save changes.

This should trigger QuickBooks Online to send the test transaction to your bank. Please wait another 3 business days for the transaction to appear in your bank account.

Set up each employee on direct deposit

After your direct deposit test transaction has been verified, you're ready to set up each employee.

1. Ensure the employee has completed the Direct Deposit Authorization Form.
2. Navigate to Payroll and select Employees (Take me there).
3. Select the employee to set up for direct deposit.
4. Select Edit from Payment method.
5. Select Direct deposit from the Payment method dropdown menu. You can also access the direct deposit authorization form if your employee hasn't signed one.
6. Select a Direct deposit method. The following splits can be done as a dollar amount or as a percentage:

• Direct deposit to one account.
• Direct deposit to two accounts.
• Direct deposit with balance as a cheque.

7. Complete the fields using the information from the employee's direct deposit voided cheque or authorization form.
8. Select Save.

This completes the set-up process. You're now ready to use direct deposit to pay your employees.

Check direct deposit limits and processing times

For more information on how to check your direct deposit limits and processing times, visit Get help if you’re over a direct deposit limit.

What if my account still isn't active for direct deposit?

This may be caused by one of the following situations:

• You entered an invalid bank account.
• We weren't able to initiate the test transaction because your bank account had a zero balance.
• You entered an incorrect test transaction amount.

Should one of these situations arise, we'll send you an email with instructions for resolving it. The sender will show up as notify@quickbase.com. Otherwise, contact Payroll Support for assistance.

Money movement services are provided by Intuit Canada Payments Inc.