QuickBooks Desktop Pro is being Discontinued - Confirmation of ongoing use of software?

Hi RachelIllsley, thanks for your post - we're sorry to hear that you're not finding QBO to be as advanced as the Desktop product. I'd also like to clear up any confusion on this - the advice by AbegailS_ relates to the US versions; for all UK Desktop products, access will cease after 30 June 2023. This means you'd need to migrate to an alternative software in advance of this. In preparation, we'll also be releasing details in the coming weeks via email on how to access your Desktop data in a read-only format after the discontinuation. If you have any further queries, please get back to us below. :)

Thanks for the clarification.  I am, however, a little confused as to why you would not leave the UK to access to the software as well?  We have been a user since 2007 and developed our other systems around the features included in this product.  Leaving us with no viable alternative solution seems both remiss of QuickBooks and also a rather strange business decision.  

@RachelIllsley 

You are using QB Desktop 2020 UK version with the one time license, correct?

You can use a 3rd party HMRC-approved web based solution for submitting your VAT returns for MTD as a workaround. You can use your own excel spreadsheet or use an export Excel or CSV from any accounting program.

Thanks, Fiat Lux

Alas it looks like we will only have read only access to this file going forward.  Totally crazy business decision.  But hey we have only been a loyal customer since 2007.  Why on earth should anyone listen to us?!

The most appalling customer service ever!  If I was using this product elsewhere in the world I would be becoming very nervous!

Hi RachelIllsley,

thanks for your post, which would tend to confirm a situation that we would never have thought possible: discontinuing the operation of a software that we have been working with for now more than 16 years. That you stop support for it can be understood, but that you take actions to cease it to offer its functionality after 30 July 2023 is an unheard of situation you put your customers into, particularly as after thorough analysis of all migration tools we have been informed about, there is indeed no migration to the online version that would preserve multi-currency and inventory goods the way we use them daily in our business currently. If you know otherwise, we and certainly many other customers of yours in the wild world would be keen of being informed of any working solutions.

PS: Alternatively we would be more than happy to pay a monthly subscription for just being able to keep using Quickbooks desktop!

Claude Cellier, based in Switzerland

@Claude Cellier 

after thorough analysis of all migration tools we have been informed about, there is indeed no migration to the online version that would preserve multi-currency and inventory goods the way we use them daily in our business currently

You can purchase a 3rd party service to convert data with multi currency transaction to QB Online or other cloud based accounting apps.

If you know of any conversion service that preserves multi-currency AND keeps track of inventory items (without converting them to non-stock parts), we would be highly interested.

@Claude Cellier 

Click on my profile name and you will find our website address to send an email to. We can help to convert your data from QB Desktop.

JULY 30 or JUNE 30 ?

Hello skinnerneil

Desktop will be discontinued for UK customers on 30 June 2023 - you can read more on this here. 

There are two replies from you on here contradicting the discontinuation date, early post says 31 July then here you say 30th June.  I believe its 30th June but would be good to clarify for people as you are a QB representative.

I too am extremely unhappy with the way desktop users in the UK are being treated with the discontinuation of desktop. Why is it still going to be available in the US?  The online version goes nowhere near to  meeting the needs of customers who have developed their businesses using desktop. We have used it for over 20 years and the online version just cannot work for businesses like ours.  The online version is only useful for sole traders and similar.  There is no product on the market (without paying a fortune) that meets our requirements and like previous posts on here we feel we have been hung out to dry! 

Hello Yorky, the date was extended from May to June and the date desktop will be discontinued is the 30th June. We apologise for any confusion we'll update the thread to the correctdates.  The main reason why it is being discontinued is compliance issues with the MTD changes and users being on old versions which are not compliant. Though there were other factors that was the main one. We do completely understand why you are upset at the discontinuation and do not discount your loyalty with Quickbooks over the years.

Thank you for your reply.  I cannot understand why, if it was impossible to make desktop compliant with MTD (although it worked well for VAT) that a new version based on all that is good about desktop wasn't developed.  We are now left with an option that is simply not usable.  We cant be alone in this and you are going to be losing a large number of customers through this.  Yes have the online version for sole traders and smaller entities but you surely have the expertise to create an online version that covers all that desktop does now plus more.  

Hi Yorky, we fully appreciate what you have said and we have taken this one board and passed your feedback on. 

I would be perfectly happy without MTD - I would simply pay for a third party service to bridge to HMRC VAT MTD using spreadsheets from QB...

What annoys me is you are simply switching off our software ....  why not ask us to accept the risk by checking a box - that we keep using QB at our own peril ?  It might keep me going long enough to retire...

They are just not interested in our business anymore.  Like you we would be happy to continue and find an acceptable alternative to cover MTD.  QB are after a different market now, the amount of advertising recently targeting sole traders proves it.  With the online service only they will be able to cut their costs substantially as they wont need the employees required for desktop.  As I said before we loyal desktop users have been hung out to dry!  

I am so frustrated and annoyed with Intuit.  QB Desktop is a wonderful versatile product and we have been using it for over 20 years in the UK.  We do not use any add-ons and have customised it for our very specialised business.  QB Online is unusable for us, and so far we haven't found a workable solution.  A lot of our 'departments' and each has its own 'company file' do not need any MTD.  So we have over 20 Company Files at the moment and only 1 of them needs MTD.  I would be happy to use QB Online for the ONE company file that needs MTD and is VAT registered.  But there is absolutely no need for any of my other files to move.... why then can't I continue to use it?  You forced us on to monthly subscription rather than when we used to buy the software disc updates - and it now appears that because we have supported Intuit over the years we are being punished!  We have spent 18m and thousands of pounds and staff time trying to find a solution and with a month to go we have got nowhere.  To be frank if we find we can't continue using QB Desktop for our majority files then we will end up closing the business and putting 12 people out of work - well done Intuit!!!  Glad I am retiring at the end of June... the stress is just too much!

@Evie T 

So we have over 20 Company Files at the moment and only 1 of them needs MTD. We have spent 18m and thousands of pounds and staff time trying to find a solution and with a month to go we have got nowhere.

Have you explored to use QB Desktop US version?

Unclear how that would help.... can you be more specific?

You said that you don't need to comply with MTD requirements for 19 of the 20 existing company files. You may consider using QB Desktop US version to replace QB Desktop UK version.

 Won't everything be in dollars though?

QB Desktop uses the currency you use in Windows settings as your home currency. You should be aware that you can also enable multi-currency on QB Desktop if needed. Another perk is that you can use QB Desktop US Enterprise to manage up to 40 users. The only drawback is that you have to purchase a 3rd party service to convert your data from the QB Desktop UK file format if you need to open it on QB Desktop US version.

Thanks that is really useful info.  I assume I can still buy the US version/download it - and next question would it be a monthly charge or just a one off fee..... sorry to ask so many questions but every time I seem to find a solution silly roadblocks stop progress!

QB Desktop US 2023 Pro and Premier = annual subscription

QB Desktop US 2023 Enterprise = monthly or annual subscription

If you are not located in the US or CA, you can purchase a new license via a partner. For QB Desktop Enterprise, you can also get up to 20% off for new license and renewal fee.