Learn what you can do if you get an error message about direct deposit limits when you process payroll in QuickBooks and Intuit Payroll.
For your security, we set limits on how much money you can send via direct deposit. When your direct deposit amount is higher than usual, you may get a message: "Your payment amounts are much larger than usual. If you still want to make these payments by direct deposit, request a direct deposit limit increase."
Here's what to do so you can make sure your workers are paid.
What are direct deposit limits?
Direct deposit limits are set per payroll and per person.
Online Payroll
- Per payroll means the total amount of direct deposits for all your employees or contractors paid in a 6-day period(including weekends) from the date of payroll submission.
- Per person means the direct deposit amount for one employee or contractor paid in a 6-day period (including weekends) from the date of payroll submission.
QuickBooks Desktop Payroll
- Per payroll means the total amount of direct deposits for all your employees or contractors paid in a 6-day period (including weekends) from the date of payroll submission.
- Per person means the direct deposit amount for one employee or contractor paid in a 14-day period (including weekends) from the date of payroll submission.
Where can I see my direct deposit limit amounts?
If you use QuickBooks Online Payroll products, you can find your direct deposit limit amounts in your Payroll settings.
- Select Settings ⚙️, then Payroll settings.
- Scroll to the Direct deposit section. You'll see your limits per payroll and per person.
If you use Intuit Online Payroll Enhanced, Intuit Online Payroll Full Service, QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Basic, Standard, Enhanced, or Assisted contact us for your direct deposit limit amounts.
What are my options to pay my employees?
Request a direct deposit limit increase
Submit an online request to increase your direct deposit security limit. Additional documentation such as a bank statement may be required. You can upload it to the request form.
| Note: If you're asked to send us bank statements, we need to know your average historical balance to make sure your account is sufficiently funded for the amounts you're requesting. |
Typically, requests are reviewed within 2 business days. We will email you the results.
Change your funding time to 5-day
You can change your direct deposit funding time to 5-day if you use QuickBooks Online Payroll products. The direct deposit limits do not apply, but you will need to submit your payroll 5 days in advance of the paycheck date.
To change your funding time to 5-day:
- Select Settings ⚙️, then Payroll settings.
- Select Edit ✎ in the Direct deposit section.
- Select 5-day, then Save.
- Select Done.
If you decide later you want to switch back to a faster funding time, you can do so by following the same steps above. You will be switched back to the faster funding time direct deposit limits.
This option is currently not available for Intuit Online Payroll or QuickBooks Desktop Payroll products.
Pay some or all of your workers with a paper check
You can pay some or all of your employees or contractors with a paper check. Make sure to change the checks in your product to paper checks before attempting to send again.