Is desktop payroll going away?

I've got some insights about this, Hazel. I'll share them below.

We have two updates regarding the QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) payroll services discontinuation.

First, after May 31, 2024, all QBDT 2021 software will be discontinued. Including all 2021 versions of QuickBooks Desktop Pro, QuickBooks Desktop Premier, QuickBooks Desktop for Mac, and QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions v21. 

If you have the 2021 version and don't upgrade by May 31, 2024, you won't have access to live technical support if you run into problems or any Intuit services that can be integrated with the program. It includes Payroll, Online Banking, and Merchant Services. You can browse these articles to learn more: 

• QuickBooks Desktop Payroll discontinuation policy
• QuickBooks Desktop service discontinuation policy

Aside from the 2021 versions, Intuit also plans to stop selling several products to United States (US) new subscribers after July 31, 2024. Thus, we will no longer sell new subscriptions for the following products:

• QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus
• QuickBooks Desktop Premier Plus
• QuickBooks Desktop Mac Plus
• QuickBooks Desktop Enhanced Payroll

Meanwhile, existing users will not be impacted and can continue to renew their subscriptions after the specified date. For more details, please see this article: Can't buy QuickBooks Desktop as a new US subscriber.

If you have additional questions about the provided updates, please don't hesitate to get back on this thread. I'd be glad to share additional details about these.

@Hazel4 

How many employee do you need to manage their payroll?

You can use QB Desktop 2024 Pro Plus or Premier Plus + Enhanced Payroll until 2027.

Thank you for the information.

So, if I'm understanding correctly, I have the Premier Plus Subscription and I will not be impacted this?  (I upgrade each year when QB introduces new versions).  QB will continue to put out annual updates for the desktop versions and keep payroll subscriptions going for existing customers...correct?

Hello there, @Hazel4.

Yes, you won't be affected by the discontinuation as you mentioned that you're constantly updating yours yearly.

QuickBooks will continue to release annual updates for desktop versions and maintain payroll subscriptions for existing customers.

Additionally, here's a resource you can browse through for you to be able to have the latest payroll update (22408) as well as earlier release updates: Get the latest payroll news and updates in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll.

If you still need anything about payroll updates in QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT), feel free to let me know. I'd be glad to assist you at any time. Have a good one.

I have the same question. We have Quickbooks Enterprise 2024. Will I be able to continue using it for as long as needed or just until 2027 meaning that it will go away? I see a lot of mixed information. 

I am here to provide you with some additional information about QuickBooks Desktop, @lilavalv. 

QuickBooks Enterprise 2024 will continue to be supported by Intuit until 2027. After that date, Intuit will no longer provide critical security updates, compliance updates, or product updates for that version. However, you will still be able to use the software for as long as you need it.

Refer to this article for more information what features are included in the QuickBooks Desktop 2024 release and how you can use them to benefit your business: What’s new in QuickBooks Desktop 2024. 

Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns about QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise 2024. We're always here to assist. Have a great rest of the day!

@lilavalv 

You need to have QB Desktop Enterprise Gold or higher to use the payroll feature. As I know, Intuit will support QB Desktop 2024 until 2027 and they should release QB Desktop 2025 Enterprise on schedule this year. Consider to renew your subscription thru a partner and get perpetual discounts up to 20% off.

After that date, Intuit will no longer provide critical security updates, compliance updates, or product updates for that version. So basically we have to switch to the online version or switch software correct? If its not gonna have these features then why even have it? 

So basically we have to switch to the online version or switch software correct?

If you upgrade to QB Desktop 2025, you'll have until 2028 and beyond as long as they still release newer versions every year.

We have QB Desktop Pro 2024. We received an email that we had to review and accept the Enhanced version in 15 days. But, when I log into my account under new products, I only see that we updated our Desktop Pro 2024 on 4/11/24. But, there are no new products to "review and accept". I am very confused. Is Intuit wanting me to switch to the online version? I can do that, but the reason we have the desktop version is because our internet access is hit or miss. I cannot rely on our Internet access to run payroll. (sadly) 

Hey there, Arkansas.

Thanks for joining this thread. I'm happy to point you in the right direction regarding these QuickBooks Desktop Payroll updates.

To answer your question, yes, the notification you're receiving does sound like it's providing info about migrating your Desktop Payroll to the Online version. 

You can find out more to see if this would be the right move for you and your business by viewing this page: Get more done with QuickBooks Online Payroll. For even more details, I recommend contacting the number provided in the previous link to speak with an agent about to Online version of Payroll.
 

If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to drop a comment below. I'll be here to lend a hand.

@Arkansas 

Can you login to your CAMPS and find your license code there? Do you have Assisted Payroll?

So if a long-time customer is currently using QuickBooks Desktop 2024 with enhanced payroll, we will be able to continue using it into the foreseeable future?  

Personally, I don't have an issue with a transition to QuickBooks online, but the company owner is absolutely against switching from Desktop to an online system.  

I'm a first-time accounting software user and had to learn QuickBooks under an "emergency" type situation when one of our employees suddenly retired.  I was really surprised at how easy and "intuitive" it was to learn.  After only about 6 months I feel very comfortable using the software.  If I have any problems with QuickBooks it's not because of the software, but because of my limited knowledge of basic accounting principles. (I'm trying to work on this though) 

I am very much impressed with the Reports functions in QuickBooks.

I do hear grumbling from people every now and then about QuickBooks, but I really think the issues they have are because of their unwillingness to take the time to look up the correct processes to use with QuickBooks Support. 

Thanks!!!  

Yes, you're right, Mark.

Existing subscribers can continue to renew their QuickBooks Desktop subscriptions after July 31, 2024, and that includes payroll. Aside from that, we will still provide security, product updates, and support. Only new users are impacted by the change. 

I'm glad that you are impressed with the way QuickBooks Desktop works and how it helps your business. For more information on what features are included in QuickBooks Desktop 2024, I've added this article for more information: What's New In QuickBooks Desktop 2024.

You can always reach out to us anytime if you have any other concerns about QuickBooks, we're always right here to help you. Have a nice. 

I am very confused about the ending of support for Quickbooks Desktop Pro 2021.

I would like to know - if we manually update current payroll taxes - will we be able to generate the few payroll checks we run and print ourselves? No one can give me a straight answer. Please advise. Thank you.

Glad to have you here in the Community, @TSF1.

I'll be sharing some information to help avoid confusion and clarify things about current payroll taxes in QuickBooks Desktop 2021.

Please be informed that your QuickBooks Desktop 2021 software will be discontinued after May 31, 2024. This applies to all 2021 versions of QuickBooks Desktop Pro, QuickBooks Desktop Premier, QuickBooks Desktop for Mac, and QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions v21. Other Intuit products will also be affected by this software discontinuation. 

If you do not upgrade your QuickBooks Desktop 2021 before May 31, 2024, you will not have access to live technical support or any of the other Intuit services that can be integrated with QuickBooks Desktop. This includes QuickBooks Desktop Payroll, QuickBooks Desktop Payments, and online bank feeds. Discontinued versions will not receive the latest critical security patches and updates. After May 31, 2024, your access to QuickBooks Desktop Payroll, Desktop Payments, live technical support, Online Backup, Online Banking, and other services through QuickBooks Desktop 2021 software will be discontinued. This also means that starting June 1, 2024, you will no longer receive critical security updates that protect your data.

Moreover, you can still update payroll taxes manually and generate payroll checks until May 31, 2024. However, after that date, QuickBooks Desktop services will no longer be available. For the latest payroll update (22408) as well as earlier release updates check this article: Get the latest payroll news and updates in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll

Furthermore, if you are currently using QuickBooks Desktop 2021 and would like to continue using the QuickBooks Payroll service, you will need to switch to a new QuickBooks subscription. Failing to upgrade before May 31, 2024, will result in incorrect payroll tax calculations, inability to send payroll, including direct deposit, and deactivation of your payroll subscription.

Here are some articles you can check to learn how to get the newest tax table in QuickBooks Payroll to stay compliant with paycheck calculations. Also, improved in the latest updates: 

• Get the latest tax table update in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll
• Release notes for QuickBooks Desktop 2021

Please know that I'm just a reply away if you need any further assistance with handling your payroll taxes in QuickBooks Desktop, TSF1. Keep Sade and have a good one.

I am in the same boat - I have Desktop Pro 2021 and cannot find an answer anywhere about what would happen if I simply did nothing.  I was told "payroll will not work in the program at all" after May 31st if I do nothing, but I am having a hard time believing that.  If I don't move to QBO, or if I don't purchase a subscription for the payroll, I understand that there will be no support, and no updates to the payroll itself (for taxes, etc.), but will it really not work AT ALL?? That doesn't sound right to me.

Let me provide some clarity regarding the discontinuation of QuickBooks Desktop payroll services, WFCassie. 

As of May 31, 2024, all QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) 2021 software versions will be discontinued. This includes QuickBooks Desktop Pro, QuickBooks Desktop Premier, QuickBooks Desktop for Mac, and QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions v21. 

If you’re using the 2021 version and don’t upgrade by that date, you won’t have access to live technical support. So, if you encounter any issues, you won’t be able to seek assistance directly from Intuit.

The discontinuation also affects integration with various Intuit services. Specifically, you won’t be able to use the following services within your 2021 version:

• Payroll
• Online Banking
• Merchant Services

If you choose not to upgrade, your existing 2021 version will not work, won’t have access to the services mentioned above. Essentially, the payroll functionality will not continue to function within the program. 

You can browse these articles to learn more: 

• QuickBooks Desktop Payroll discontinuation policy
• QuickBooks Desktop service discontinuation policy

To stay compliant with paycheck calculations in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll, you can refer to this article: Get the latest tax table update in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll

Don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have further questions about the QuickBooks Desktop Payroll subscriptions. The Community is always available to help. Keep safe.

@WFCassie 

You may have 2 options:

1. QB Desktop 2021 + a stand alone payroll app. You will register payroll expenses as JE in QB Desktop.

2. QB Desktop 2024 + Enhanced Payroll. They will support it until 2027.

I also want to know how long QBDT Enterprise will be active and all payroll updates will run?

Until 2028? Then we are required to go to online for QBs?

Please be exact so we all know what to expect and if we have to start researching new accounting software.

QB online is NOT a valid option for a lot of us. 

So QBDT Enterprise and payroll  is discontinued in 2027? 

@rebecca241 

As long as QB Online users still need QB Desktop to export data to TurboTax, they will need time to discontinue QB Desktop Enterprise. As I know, they will release QB Desktop 2025 Enterprise on schedule and they will support it until 2028.

Yes, if you're using QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise version 2024, it will discontinue in 2027, @rebecca241.

If you are currently using version 2023 or an earlier version, I highly recommend upgrading to our latest release, which is version 2024.

Refer to this article when you need to upgrade your subscription.

I've added these articles to learn more about the discontinuation policy:

• QuickBooks Desktop Payroll discontinuation policy
• QuickBooks Desktop service discontinuation policy

You can check out this article to ensure accurate paycheck calculations in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll: Get the latest tax table update in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll.

If you have further questions related to QuickBooks Desktop Payroll, you can always post to the Community Page or leave a reply to this post. I'm here to help.

I am so frustrated!!  I have called every suggested sales phone number (at least 5!) to speak to someone in the USA  regarding the discontinuation of Desktop  QB 2021  -    I am trying to reach someone in the USA???   Is that possible???  I DO NOT want to transfer to QB Online - I want to upgrade to Quickbooks Desktop only - but it is confusing as to what -  if any  - new Desktop 2024  products will end up NOT being discontinued in 2027 or 2028??  How can I speak to someone in the USA about this rather than the foreign agents??  Or what Desktop product is available that will not be discontinued???  Or are all of them eventually being discontinued in 27 /28  ???????????  Very frustrating -  just trying to get information to help us make  an upgrade decision since what is now being offered is very very expensive - I want to have the correct information on our needs !!!

THANKS ANYONE WHO CAN offer advice!!!!!