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How to add payroll to a client's company file

by Intuit4 Updated 1 month ago

This article will tell you what to do when you have a client in QuickBooks Online Accountant (QBOA) and need to add payroll to their company file.

Turn on payroll

Before you can add payroll to a client's company file you have to first make sure payroll is turned on:

  1. Select Go to your client's QuickBooks on the Toolbar.
  2. Choose your client's company.
  3. Select Workers, then Employees.
  4. Select Get started.
  5. You'll then be guided to select the Payroll you want.

Option 1: Select if you want to file your taxes yourself

After you turn on payroll you will have two options. The first option is for if you want to file your taxes yourself. Here's how to do that:

  1. Select See Your Plan. Review the information provided.
  2. If you agree, select Next. (Otherwise, select Back and go with the other option.)
  3. Your payroll is now active. Select Get started with payroll to complete the necessary information.
  4. Complete the requested information about your business and select Continue.
  5. Complete the rest of the screens, selecting Continue after each one.

Option 2: Select if you want payroll to do all the filings for you

Your second option is to have QuickBooks Payroll do the filings for you. Here's how to do that:

  1. Select See Your Plan. Review the information provided.
  2. If you agree, select Next. (Otherwise, select Back and go with the other option.)
  3. Call the 1-800 number on the page (or complete the form to have an agent call you back) to complete your signup.
Note: When adding payroll, be sure to have the correct company address in the company settings.

To check company address:

  1. Go to Settings ⚙, then select Account and Settings.
  2. Update company address if it's not correct, then Save.
Note: If this is not followed, upon turning on client's payroll, payroll state will default to Company Address. Customer will not have the option to change it. In this event, do the following steps:
  1. Let the customer add a dummy Company Address address to proceed.
  2. Walk the customer through adding a new work location by going to:
    • Select the Gear icon on the Toolbar, then Payroll Settings.
    • Go to Work Locations.
    • Select Add a Work Location.
  3. Add the correct work location, then Save.
  4. Once the correct address is added, in CS Server, switch the correct work location as the primary one.
  5. Walk the customer through deleting the incorrect location by going to.
    • Select the Gear icon on the Toolbar, then Payroll Settings.
    • Go to Work Locations.
  6. Select  the incorrect work location, then select Delete.
  7. Select Yes to confirm deletion.

Now you know how to turn on payroll and how to add payroll to a client's company file.

QuickBooks Online AccountantQuickBooks Online Payroll CoreQuickBooks Online Payroll EliteQuickBooks Online Payroll Premium

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