Do I need QB Payroll software? I have Desktop accounting software

Hello there, @CItyClerkAlmena.

Once you have an employee, you'll need to set up payroll form them. Let me guide you how.

Here's how:

1. Go to the Employees, then click Payroll Tax Forms & W-2s.
2. Choose Process Payroll Forms.
3. In the Payroll Center, click File Forms tab.
4. Select the form you need to file from the list.
5. Click File Form, then select the form filing period and click OK.
6. Review the forms and select Check For Errors. If needed, correct any errors.
7. Select Submit Form button.

For more insights, please refer to this article: Get started with Payroll.

I'm just a post away if you have any other questions. Have a great day. 

Please expand on how you can generate payroll yet not have to file forms. Are you using a different payroll product and merely need to record the results in QB? Even for only 8 people there are enough forms to file. You can do it all the old school way with the IRS publications and tax tables and paper forms but there comes a time when even an 8 employee business will be required to file everything electronically (not yet)

We are a municipality with only 8 employees.  We pay employees but give our file to our CPA to file all payroll taxes.  I do make the monthly liability payments but file no forms

Hey, @CItyClerkAlmena.

I can provide you with some additional information on if you need QuickBooks Payroll Software. There's a feature within QuickBooks Desktop that records the payroll but doesn't calculate and enter payroll taxes, and file your tax forms for you. This is called Manual Payroll. Here's how to set it up:

QuickBooks Desktop 2018 or later

1. Go to the Edit option.
2. Choose Preferences.
3. Press Payroll & Employees, then select the Company Preferences section.
4. Make sure the Full Payroll and Manual Payroll boxes are checked in the QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Features section.
5. In the "Get payday peace of mind" window, click Next and then Activate in the confirmation screen.
6. Pick OK to apply the changes.
7. Hit OK to close out of the "preferences" window.

Note: If you set this feature up, you'll need to calculate payroll taxes and file payroll forms outside of QuickBooks.

If you have any trouble along the way or need a better explanation on what would be best for your business, then I recommend contacting our Customer Support Team. They have additional tools to use a screen share to walk you through the steps.

Let me know if this helps. I'm always here to have your back. Enjoy the rest of your day!