Payroll for freelancers
As a freelancer, you are your business. Invest in yourself by choosing the No. 1 payroll provider.1
Payroll with a payoff
Stay organized with a reliable payroll system created for small businesses and the self-employed. With QuickBooks, you can run payroll when you’re ready and get accurate paychecks every time. We’ll even file your payroll taxes for you automatically at no extra cost.**
More time in your day
Automate repetitive payroll tasks and get more time back for the work only you can do. Turn on Auto Payroll,** and you’ll be done in just 5 minutes.2Stay compliant
Rest easy, knowing your federal and state payroll taxes are calculated, filed, and deducted automatically.** There’s even tax penalty protection with QuickBooks Online Payroll Elite, so you won’t have to worry about penalties or filing errors.Backed by experts
From HR best practices to clarity on common payroll questions, our expert support teams are here when you need them to keep you informed and on track.**
All the features you need to manage payroll
- Tax penalty protection
- Auto Payroll
- Fast direct deposit
- Expert review and setup
- HR support
- Health benefits
Tax penalty protection 
Auto Payroll 
Fast direct deposit 
Expert review and setup 
HR support 
Health benefits 
Tax penalty protection
Count on our Tax Resolution Team to help resolve tax issues and pay up to $25,000 per year for penalties. No matter who made the error, we’ll make it right.
Auto Payroll
Put Auto Payroll to work. Set up payroll, then turn on notifications to stay in the loop. Cut down on time spent crunching numbers, and focus on your freelance work.** Fast direct deposit
Keep cash longer with same-day or next-day direct deposit. Run payroll and direct deposit as many times as you need each month at no extra cost.**Explore direct deposit Expert review and setup
Get an expert to review your payroll or have them set it up for you.** Questions? Call or access 24/7 online chat support.** HR support
Access HR resources online or talk one-on-one with a personal HR advisor. Save time and stay compliant with HR support powered by Mammoth, Inc.**Learn more about HR Services Health benefits
We’ve got you covered with access to affordable health benefits, powered by SimplyInsured. Premiums are deducted automatically when you run payroll.** Explore health benefitsPayroll reports
QuickBooks Payroll helps you create and download detailed reports to get actionable insights about your freelance business.
- View your total payroll costs, tax liabilities, bank transactions, and more from your dashboard.
- Choose from over 15 customizable payroll reports to track your finances and see where your money’s going.
- Add repeat reports to your favorites to get data at your fingertips.
Payroll services for freelancers
When you’re a freelancer who bills by the hour, you need an online payroll system that gets things done. QuickBooks offers flexible plans to fit your business and your budget.Payroll Core helps you manage payroll, calculate taxes, and access expert product support.**Payroll Premium adds powerful tools, including same-day direct deposit, mobile time tracking, and help with HR compliance.**Payroll Elite is there every step of the way with customized setup, a personal HR advisor, tax penalty protection, and 24/7 support.**All plans come with full-service payroll, including automated taxes and forms.**
Process paychecks on the go with the Payroll app
Never miss a deadline with automated payroll app notifications and alerts. Manage payroll or pay taxes on your phone or at your desk. Your work always syncs and saves.**
Frequently asked questions
Why choose QuickBooks as your freelance payroll provider?
What additional services does QuickBooks Payroll provide?
DisclaimerGuaranteeQuickBooks Online Payroll – Tax penalty protection: Only QuickBooks Online Payroll Elite users are eligible to receive the tax penalty protection. If you receive a tax notice and send it to us within 15 days of the tax notice, we will cover the payroll tax penalty up to $25,000. Intuit cannot help resolve notices for customers in Collections with the IRS because IRS Collections will only work with businesses directly. Additional conditions and restrictions apply. Learn more about tax penalty protection.*Offer termsQuickBooks Online Payroll Discount Offer Terms: Discount applied to the monthly price for QuickBooks Online Payroll Core, Premium, or Elite (“Payroll”) (collectively, “QuickBooks”) is for the first 3 months of service, starting from the date of enrollment, followed by the then-current monthly list price. Your account will automatically be charged on a monthly basis until you cancel. Each employee is an additional $4/month for Core, $8/month for Premium, and $10/month for Elite. Contractor payments via direct deposit are $4/month for Core, $8/month for Premium, and $10/month for Elite. Payroll service optimized for up to 50 employees or contractors and capped at 150. The Payroll service includes 1 state filing. If you file taxes in more than one state, each additional state is $12/month for only Core and Premium. There is no additional charge for additional state tax filings in Elite. The discounts do not apply to additional employees and state tax filing fees. If you add or remove services, your service fees will be adjusted accordingly. Sales tax may be applied where applicable. To be eligible for this offer you must be a new QuickBooks customer and sign up for the monthly plan using the “Buy Now” option. This offer can’t be combined with any other QuickBooks offers. Offer available for a limited time only. To cancel your subscription at any time go to Account & Settings in QuickBooks and select “Cancel.” Your QuickBooks cancellation will become effective at the end of the monthly billing period. You will not receive a pro-rated refund; your access and subscription benefits will continue for the remainder of the billing period. Terms, conditions, pricing, special features, and service and support options subject to change without notice.**FeaturesAutomated tax payments and filings: Automated tax payments and filing are available only for state and federal taxes. Enrollment in e-services is required. Local taxes require the user to print the forms and upload them to the necessary local sites. QuickBooks Online Payroll Core does not offer local tax payments and filings. Automatic filings for state new hire paperwork are available in QuickBooks Online Payroll Premium and Elite only.Auto Payroll: Available if the setup for employees and the company is complete, all employees are salaried employees, all employees are set up on direct deposit, bank verification and e-services are enabled, the account has not been on hold in the last 6 months, and the first payroll has been run successfully.Expert product support: Included with your paid subscription to QuickBooks Online Payroll. Chat support available 24/7. U.S.-based phone support is available Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 6 PM PT, and Saturday from 6 AM to 3 PM PT. Your subscription must be current. Intuit reserves the right to limit the length of the call. Terms, conditions, features, pricing, service, and support are subject to change without notice. Contact support. Same-day direct deposit: Available to QuickBooks Online Payroll Premium and Elite users. Payroll processed before 7 AM PT shall arrive the same business day (excluding weekends and holidays). Requires setup of direct deposit and bank verification. Same-day direct deposit may be subject to eligibility criteria. Deposit delays may vary because of third-party delays, risk reviews, or issues beyond Intuit’s control. Same-day direct deposit is available only for employees. Next-day direct deposit: Available to only QuickBooks Online Payroll Core users. Payroll processed before 7 PM PST the day before shall arrive the next business day (excluding weekends and holidays). Requires setup of direct deposit and bank verification. Next-day direct deposit may be subject to eligibility criteria. Deposit delays may vary because of third-party delays, risk reviews, or issues beyond Intuit’s control. Next-day direct deposit is available for contractors and employees. Direct deposit for contractors is $[4/8/10] per month, per contractor payment. Each employee is $[4/8/10] per month with no additional fees for direct deposit.Expert review: Available upon request for QuickBooks Online Payroll Premium and Elite.HR services: HR support is provided by experts at Mammoth, Inc. See Mammoth’s privacy policy and Terms of Use. The HR Support Center is available only to QuickBooks Online Premium and Elite subscriptions. HR Advisor support only available in QuickBooks Online Payroll Elite. HR support is not available to accountants who are calling on behalf of their clients.Health benefits: Powered by SimplyInsured. Require acceptance of SimplyInsured’s privacy policy and Terms of Service. Additional fees will apply. SimplyInsured does not offer insurance in HI, VT, and DC. Insurance coverage eligibility is not guaranteed and is dependent solely on the rules of the insurance carrier. The insurance carrier has sole and final discretion as to the eligibility for health insurance products.Workers’ comp: Benefits are powered by AP Intego and require acceptance of AP Intego’s privacy policy and Terms of Service. Additional fees will apply. There is a monthly fee (currently $5 per month) for QuickBooks Online Payroll Core users for the QuickBooks Workers’ Comp Payment Service. This non-refundable fee will be added automatically to each monthly Intuit invoice at the then-current price until you cancel. The fee is separate from any workers’ comp insurance policy premium by AP Intego Insurance Group. Workers’ Compensation Service requires an active and paid QuickBooks Payroll subscription. Eligibility criteria apply to transfer active insurance policy broker of record, including insurance carrier, policy renewal date, and payment method. Workers’ compensation insurance is not available in OH, ND, WA, and WY.** Product informationQuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Self-Employed system requirements: QuickBooks Online requires a persistent internet connection (a high-speed connection is recommended) and a computer with a supported internet browser or a mobile phone with a supported operating system (see System Requirements) and an internet connection (a high-speed connection is recommended). Network fees may apply.QuickBooks Online Payroll mobile app: The QuickBooks Online Payroll mobile app works with iPhones, iPads, and Android phones and tablets. Devices sold separately; data plan required. Not all features are available on the mobile app and mobile browser. QuickBooks Online Payroll mobile access is included with your QuickBooks Online Payroll subscription at no additional cost. Data access is subject to cellular/internet provider network availability and occasional downtime due to system and server maintenance and events beyond your control. Product registration required. Cancellation policy: You’re free to switch plans or cancel anytime.#Claims1. QuickBooks Payroll is the No. 1 payroll provider for small businesses: Based on the overall number of customers for QuickBooks Payroll products as of June 2020.2. Run payroll in less than 5 minutes: Median time for QuickBooks Payroll customers to view and approve payroll is less than 5 minutes, as of June 2020.3. 1.4 million customers: Based on the overall number of customers for QuickBooks’ payroll products as of August 2020.Terms, conditions, pricing, special features, and service and support options are subject to change without notice.
Tax penalty protection
With tax penalty protection, we’ll resolve filing errors and pay penalties up to $25,000. We work directly with the IRS so that you don’t have to.
Only QuickBooks Online Payroll Elite users are eligible to receive the tax penalty protection. If you receive a tax notice and send it to us within 15 days of the tax notice we will cover the payroll tax penalty, up to $25,000. Intuit cannot help resolve notices for customers in Collections with the IRS because IRS Collections will only work with businesses directly. Additional conditions and restrictions apply. Learn more about tax penalty protection.