IIF files from Quickbooks Online Payroll are suddenly not importing into Quickbooks Desktop for Mac

ADeutsch · ‎May 15, 2023

I've already spent hours trying to resolve this. I contacted support for Quickbooks Online Payroll who told me to contact support for Quickbooks Desktop for Mac. He had me run "Verify Data" which showed no issues and "Rebuild Data" which I did but did not make a difference. I have also completely uninstalled Quickbooks for Mac 2023 (including preferences) and reinstalled it. I've begged Support for an email address so I can send screenshots and the iif files but that is apparently not an option.

I am running Quickbooks Mac Plus 2023 V22.0.4 R5 and full-service Quickbooks Online Payroll.

Here is the issue:

Even though I have made no changes to my Chart of Accounts in Quickbooks Mac Plus nor have I changed the export settings in Quickbooks Online Payroll, I can no longer import iif files from Quickbooks Online Payroll. Quickbooks for Mac tells me that "This file cannot be imported because the account types do not match." It says that several account types in the import file are listed as "Bank" when they are actually Expense accounts. When I look at the iif, however, it appears correct (as I mentioned the export settings, which have always worked properly until now, have not been changed. I double checked them and they are still correct). Even though Quickbooks Mac Plus is saying the problem is in the imported iif file, as the iif appears correct, I'm not sure that's the case. Either way, need help.

ADeutsch · ‎May 22, 2023

Steve and others who are having the same issue:

After spending over 12 hours trying to solve this problem, contacting both Quickbooks Online Payroll support and Quickbooks for Mac support multiple times--and being dismissed by both multiple times (each claiming this issue was the fault of the other) I FINALLY talked to someone at Mac support who told me this is a known issue that engineers are working on and gave me a temporary work-around. Here's what allowed me to finally import the payroll info into Quickbooks:

After downloading your iif, right click on it and open in TextEdit.
Look at the "ACCNT" section and find the account line that is giving you issues (for example: "ACCNT Payroll Expenses:Bonuses") and place your cursor right after the last letter of this account.
Hit tab and enter the "code" for the proper account type. Expense accounts are "EXP" and Other Current Liabilities are "OCLIAB."
Save that and now you should be able to import it into your Quickbooks for Mac.

The frustrating part is being dismissed by support from both Payroll and Mac multiple times or being sent basic articles on how to export or import as if I was doing something wrong. It sure would be nice if there was a system in place for multiple support departments of the same company to work together. It would also be nice if there was a way for us to send files. I essentially begged support to allow me to send the iif but there is apparently no mechanism to do so. If someone knowledgeable had looked at it they would have immediately seen the problem and saved me 12 hours and a lot headaches.

View solution in original post

Carneil_C · ‎May 15, 2023

I hear your sentiments, @ADeutsch.

Thanks for keeping us aware of your concern. I'd like to route you to the support available to help you with this issue.

I understand that you've already contacted them, but I still suggest contacting our QuickBooks Desktop for Mac Support Team. They'll be able to pull up your account in a safe environment to find a possible root cause of why you're unable to import your data and do further investigation regarding this concern.

Here's how you can reach out to them:

Go to Help, then select QuickBooks Desktop Help.
Click Contact Us.
Give a brief description of your issue, then select Continue.
Choose a way to connect.

Check out this article for more insights about importing data into QBDT for Mac: Import data into QuickBooks for Mac.

I'm more than willing to help if you have any other concerns with your payroll or any processes in QuickBooks Desktop. I'll ensure your needs are taken care of.

ADeutsch · ‎May 17, 2023

Thank you. I know how to import data as I've been doing it for years.

I took your suggestion and contacted support again. We tried several things that did not work. Eventually I was transferred to a supervisor who immediately transferred me to support for Quickbooks Online Payroll. They said it was clearly a Quickbooks Desktop for Mac import issue since the iif is correct as is my chart of accounts. While being transferred BACK to Desktop support, I was disconnected. I attempted to respond to the email from support with my case number to ask them to set up a time for a call but I get an automated reply that says the case number I was given doesn't exist or has been closed.

I don't know what else to do to get help at this point. I've spent over 8 hours trying to fix this issue, been transferred back and forth between Payroll and Desktop and now dismissed. We spend a lot of money on our Quickbooks Desktop subscription and Payroll subscription, partly because we're supposed to have support--but everybody wants to pawn me off on someone else and I only have so much time in a day to spend on hold.

So far I have run "Verify Data" and it showed no errors, I have run "Rebuild Data," I have re-sorted all my lists, I have completely uninstalled Quickbooks and reinstalled it twice, and I have tried to import on two separate computers. Nothing has solved the issue.

I've attached a screenshot of the warning message I get when trying to import an iif from Quickbooks Online Payroll. I have not changed my settings or chart of accounts and everything imported properly until last week. While the Quickbooks Warning says this is listed as a "Bank" type account in the import file, I can see that the iif does NOT list it that way. So something is wrong with the import process. This is happening in three different payroll accounts, none of which are listed as "Bank" in the import file.

GebelAlainaM · ‎May 18, 2023

Thanks for bringing your concern to QuickBooks Community, @ADeutsch.

I completely understand the frustration you're feeling right now. Please know that I'm taking notes about your experience so I can submit them to our Management Team and help improve your experience in QuickBooks.

As we review your case, we can see that you were added to the investigation regarding the error. I can ensure you that we will send updates once this error is fixed. For now, you may continue using the suggested workaround.

If you have any follow questions, don't hesitate to add them in the reply section. We'll be more than happy to assist you further.

postsig · ‎May 19, 2023

i am having the same problem. Just came out of the blue, and there appears be no fix. Aggravating, for sure.

steve266 · ‎May 19, 2023

Having same problem.

Started w payroll on Friday May 12. Same exact error. (Same experience with QB support, for what its worth)

Still happening with payroll today (Friday May 19)

I've looked at the .iif files that worked and those that do not. I can't see any differences in account names etc.

This is clearly a problem that impacts many people. Get on the stick QB support.

Farmer Steve

steve266 · ‎May 19, 2023

Thats nice but there is no 'suggested work around' given

Just fix the problem

s

ADeutsch · ‎May 22, 2023

Steve and others who are having the same issue:

After spending over 12 hours trying to solve this problem, contacting both Quickbooks Online Payroll support and Quickbooks for Mac support multiple times--and being dismissed by both multiple times (each claiming this issue was the fault of the other) I FINALLY talked to someone at Mac support who told me this is a known issue that engineers are working on and gave me a temporary work-around. Here's what allowed me to finally import the payroll info into Quickbooks:

After downloading your iif, right click on it and open in TextEdit.
Look at the "ACCNT" section and find the account line that is giving you issues (for example: "ACCNT Payroll Expenses:Bonuses") and place your cursor right after the last letter of this account.
Hit tab and enter the "code" for the proper account type. Expense accounts are "EXP" and Other Current Liabilities are "OCLIAB."
Save that and now you should be able to import it into your Quickbooks for Mac.

The frustrating part is being dismissed by support from both Payroll and Mac multiple times or being sent basic articles on how to export or import as if I was doing something wrong. It sure would be nice if there was a system in place for multiple support departments of the same company to work together. It would also be nice if there was a way for us to send files. I essentially begged support to allow me to send the iif but there is apparently no mechanism to do so. If someone knowledgeable had looked at it they would have immediately seen the problem and saved me 12 hours and a lot headaches.

steve266 · ‎May 26, 2023

THANK YOU!!

Solution worked for me too. NB: make sure you only have a single TAB separating columns.

Obvi the issue is with QB Payroll online.

It'll be fun (NOT) to see how long it takes them to reinsert the "EXP"

Steve

Kelly2325 · ‎May 30, 2023

Thank you so much! We should be paid for all the time on the phone training QB employees and for all our time researching instead of getting charged for a program that continues to disappoint.

As Mac users, we are on our own.

AlcaeusF · ‎May 31, 2023

Hello ADeutsch,

I have reviewed the solution you’ve shared and it's correct and accurate. Thank you for sharing your inputs to help address the issue.

We love to see members supporting one another! Have a great day.

steve266 · ‎May 31, 2023

This is frighteningly tone def.

He figured out a TEMPORARY work around for a problem that Intuit should solve. ASAP.

None of us should have to TextEdit a file being sent from one Intuit product to another Intuit product.

Seriously.

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IIF files from Quickbooks Online Payroll are suddenly not importing into Quickbooks Desktop for Mac