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hrservices
Level 1

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

 
Solved
Best answer March 02, 2020

Best Answers
Angelyn_T
QuickBooks Team

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

Hello, @hrservices.

 

If your QuickBooks Online data is less than 60 days, you have the option to purge your account if you're using QuickBooks Online Plus, Essentials and Advanced. The system deletes all data entered into the company, and you're unable to restore or reverse them.

 

To purge the data, follow the steps listed below:

  1. Log in to your QuickBooks Online account.
  2. Change the URL to include /purgecompany.
  3. Example: URL shows https://...qbo.intuit.com/app/homepage, change to: https://...qbo.intuit.com/app/purgecompany.
  4. The next screen will provide a summary of the items to be deleted.
  5. Type the word “YES” once the data gets deleted, then click OK.
  6. Click Wipe Data once your selections are complete.
  7. Once the deletion is complete, you will be rerouted to your home page.

If it's 60 days old or older, you need to cancel your account and start a new subscription.

 

To cancel your account:

  1. Go to Gear icon and select Account and Settings under Your Company.
  2. Select the Billing and subscription tab.
  3. In the QuickBooks section, select Cancel.
  4. Follow the steps to cancel your account. If you use payroll, you should cancel your payroll account too.

To start a new account:

  1. Go to https://quickbooks.intuit.com/choose-country/.
  2. Fill up the User ID and password.
  3. You can use the same user ID and a password you previously had. If you activated payroll in the account, this is the best option for you.

For additional reference about this action, read this article: Delete your data and start over in QuickBooks Online. I'll also attach this YouTube video as well: How to erase your QuickBooks Online data and start over.

 

Post again if there's anything you need assistance with. I'm more than happy to help. Have a great day!

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55 Comments 55
Angelyn_T
QuickBooks Team

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

Hello, @hrservices.

 

If your QuickBooks Online data is less than 60 days, you have the option to purge your account if you're using QuickBooks Online Plus, Essentials and Advanced. The system deletes all data entered into the company, and you're unable to restore or reverse them.

 

To purge the data, follow the steps listed below:

  1. Log in to your QuickBooks Online account.
  2. Change the URL to include /purgecompany.
  3. Example: URL shows https://...qbo.intuit.com/app/homepage, change to: https://...qbo.intuit.com/app/purgecompany.
  4. The next screen will provide a summary of the items to be deleted.
  5. Type the word “YES” once the data gets deleted, then click OK.
  6. Click Wipe Data once your selections are complete.
  7. Once the deletion is complete, you will be rerouted to your home page.

If it's 60 days old or older, you need to cancel your account and start a new subscription.

 

To cancel your account:

  1. Go to Gear icon and select Account and Settings under Your Company.
  2. Select the Billing and subscription tab.
  3. In the QuickBooks section, select Cancel.
  4. Follow the steps to cancel your account. If you use payroll, you should cancel your payroll account too.

To start a new account:

  1. Go to https://quickbooks.intuit.com/choose-country/.
  2. Fill up the User ID and password.
  3. You can use the same user ID and a password you previously had. If you activated payroll in the account, this is the best option for you.

For additional reference about this action, read this article: Delete your data and start over in QuickBooks Online. I'll also attach this YouTube video as well: How to erase your QuickBooks Online data and start over.

 

Post again if there's anything you need assistance with. I'm more than happy to help. Have a great day!

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 15

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

...

PennyP001
Level 1

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

How would I do this in Quickbooks 2018 desktop? 

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 15

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

@PennyP001 

You may create a new file and manage multi files wjthout additional cost in QB Desktop. Any specific issue?

ab82
Level 1

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

Is this still the current way for my client to cancel a subscription and then starting fresh with a new account?

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 15

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

@ab82 

If your client's account age is older than 60 days, they are unable to purge it but open a new QBO account.

https:// quickbooks.grsm.io/US

https:// quickbooks.grsm.io/us-promo

 

Then they may utilize a 3rd party tool to migrate some portions of data if required.

af01
Level 1

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

If I cancel my current account and log back in with the same credentials as my old account, will I have to pay for a new subscription or will the balance of time that I paid for be accounted for?

Mark_R
Moderator

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

Welcome to the Community, @af01.

 

When you decided to cancel your QuickBooks subscription, you still have a year to access your company file as Read-Only access. This considers printing forms and reports you might need in the future.

 

However, if you plan to resubscribe after a year, you won't be able to access your previous data.

 

For more information about the cancelation of QuickBooks subscription, feel free to check out this article: Cancel your QuickBooks Online subscription or trial.

 

Get back to me if there's anything you need assistance with. I'm more than happy to help. Have a good day!

CueBeeUser2020
Level 2

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

This is unbelievable. All I want to do is to completely delete an inactive account. First, I am told that that's not possible. Then, I am told that I can make the account active again, then delete all transactions---one by one!---which will take hours. So I find an option to purge the account, but it doesn't work because it only applies to Online "Plus" accounts and data that is less than 60 days old. So my only option is to cancel my subscription and start fresh with a new QB online account---importing all transactions again except the inactive accounts I wanted to delete in the first place. Why on earth would I want to sign up again with QuickBooks online if the software is so inflexible as to not even allow the user, who should be in full control of the user's data, to simply delete an inactive account completely? Truly unbelievable. Before wasting my time with inflexible QuickBooks again, I'll give Aplos a try.

JessaAmante
Level 2

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

I am using Quickbooks Desktop, how can I do that from here? Please help

 

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 15

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

@JessaAmante 

If you are using QB Desktop, you may create a brand new company file without any cost. Do you have any specific issue? 

Catherine_B
QuickBooks Team

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

I'd like to add from what Fiat Lux - ASIA answered, JessaAmante.

 

In QuickBooks Desktop, you can create new company files from existing ones which doesn't require any fee. Just ensure that you create a copy of an existing company file and then condense it to remove all the transactions. For more details, check this reference: Create New Company Files from Existing Ones in QuickBooks Desktop.

 

Any additional information such as issues or errors, you can always post them here. Have a good one and stay safe!

Jung king 1004
Level 1

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

it doesn't work at all. When it put the link at google, it just show blank page. very poor 

JessT
Moderator

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

Thanks for joining in, Jung king 1004.

 

Deleting data will work if your QBO company is less than 60 days old. Please give it another try using the format below. You'll want to replace homepage with purgecompany because if you'll just add it, you'll only get a blank page. 

  • Before: https://...qbo.intuit.com/app/homepage
  • After: https://...qbo.intuit.com/app/purgecompany

If you'll still see a blank page, please do the browser troubleshooting steps or sign in to QBO using a different browser, then try again.

 

Let me know how the steps work for you.

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 15

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?


@Jung king 1004 wrote:

it doesn't work at all. When it put the link at google, it just show blank page. very poor 


@Jung king 1004 

What link? 

VetBizGal2019
Level 1

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

Hello,  

I have QBOL Advanced. I did a sync on all my accounts to set-up and its a mess. Need to start over.

 

I read your article and you state for accounts older than 60 days... this article from QB says 90 days...   

Also you say that you can cancel and restart.. this article says if you do that you loose all the promo pricing. I'm on the combined payroll pricing for 1 year and only 60 days into my subscription. 

 

Can you confirm please! :)   

Here is the contradicting QB article: 

https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-au/move-to-quickbooks-online/delete-your-data-and-sta...

ReyJohn_D
Moderator

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

I can share a couple of details to ensure you can manage your QuickBooks data, @VetBizGal2019.

 

For your first concern, each region has different conditions when deleting your QuickBooks Online (QBO) data. The article you provided is for Australia (AU) QuickBooks version. Thus, it states 90 days and only applies for the Plus, Essentials, and Simple Start users. You can toggle it to US to get the steps specific for your region.


d304.PNG

For your second concern, yes, you're right. You'll lose your promo offers once you cancel your subscription (for both QBO and Payroll). For more insights, please review this article: What happens to my QuickBooks Online data after I cancel.

 

Since your data is worth 60 days, you cancel your subscription and then resubscribe to create a new company. Before doing so, I recommend printing or exporting your data to keep a copy for future use. 

 

When you're ready, here's how to cancel your account:

 

  1. Click the Gear icon at the top, and then select Account and Settings.
  2. Choose the Billing and subscription tab.
  3. Pick Cancel subscription,and follow the on-screen prompts to continue.

    d305.PNG

Once done, please proceed to Step 2 under the If your books are 60 days old or older section in this article: Delete your data and start over in QuickBooks Online.

 

If you have multiple QuickBooks companies, you can use the same login info to save time. This way, you can switch between companies easily.

 

I'm always around to lend a hand if you have more questions about managing your QBO account. Take care and enjoy the rest of the day.

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 15

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

@VetBizGal2019 

If you account has reached 30 days or older, you should open a new QBO account instead to get your full discount rates. Don't forget to cancel your old account.

https:// quickbooks.grsm.io/US
https:// quickbooks.grsm.io/us-promo

 

STAT1
Level 1

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

How can I delete everything in my qbo and start over

JasroV
QuickBooks Team

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

Nice to have you joining this thread, @STAT1.
 
I’m here to provide some insights on how to start fresh in your QuickBooks Online (QBO).

 

If your account is less than 60 days, you have the option to purge your account.  The system deletes all data from your company and you’re unable to access it again. Please know that this option is only available to the Essential, Plus, and Advanced versions of QBO.

 

To purge your account, you can follow these steps below:

  1. Log in to your QuickBooks Online account.
  2. Change the URL to include /purgecompany.
    • Before: https://...qbo.intuit.com/app/homepage
    • After: https://...qbo.intuit.com/app/purgecompany
  3. The next screen will provide a summary of the items to be deleted.
  4. Type in and enter YES.
  5. Once the data gets deleted, click OK.
  6. Select Wipe Data.
  7. Once done, you’ll be rerouted to your home page.

On the other hand, if your account is more than 60 days, you’ll need to cancel your account and subscribe to a new one. Before canceling your account, it would be wise to save a copy of your data for your future use.

 

To be guided in learning your ways around QBO, I recommend checking our QuickBooks Support page for reference. We have articles there that you can utilize for your future tasks.

 

I’ll be around to help in case you need further assistance in getting started with your new account. Leave a reply with more details about it and I sprint back into action. Have a good one!

TamT
Level 1

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

If i'm the bookkeeper can i initiate the purge or will it have to be the client?  If i have a few clients setup will I be able to purge a selected client account?

 

 

Jessica_young
Moderator

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

Great question, @TamT

 

The Master Admin on the account will need to initiate this action.  Accountant access will not allow it. I would work with your client to make this process that my colleague, @Angelyn_T outlined. 

 

Please let me know if you have any additional questions, I'm here to help!  

 

mythicpens
Level 1

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

I am being told that I cannot use the same user ID and password from the account that I cancelled. It says that I can sign in or recover the account. I want to start over, not reserve the ability to log back into the account that I want to cancel. It advised that I have access till the end of my billing cycle, which I am guessing is keeping me from using my ID and password again.

 

Is there a way to just cancel and delete the account without having to deal with this issue, because cancelling the account is essentially useless if this is the case.

 

Thank you 

Fiat Lux - ASIA
Level 15

How do I delete everything in my QuickBooks and start over?

...

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