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QuickBooks Desktop: Discontinuation information

by Intuit•52• Updated 1 week ago

This article provides essential information regarding the discontinuation of all QuickBooks Desktop products and services in the UK.


Key information

QuickBooks Desktop products have been discontinued in the UK. Please take note of the following key dates:

  • 30 June 2023: All QuickBooks Desktop services, including support, for UK customers were officially discontinued.
  • 7 April 2024: HMRC stopped accepting Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT submissions from all versions of QuickBooks Desktop.

As a result, QuickBooks Desktop is no longer a compliant solution for submitting MTD for VAT returns in the UK.


Reason for discontinuation

To ensure our customers remain compliant with UK tax regulations, this change was necessary. The introduction of MTD by HMRC, along with the increasing demand for cloud-based software, led to the decision to discontinue QuickBooks Desktop in the UK and focus our resources on QuickBooks Online.


Your options for your data

With the service now discontinued, you have several options for managing your financial data.

This is the recommended path for a seamless transition and to ensure your business remains MTD-compliant. We have partnered with Movemybooks to provide a self-service tool that automatically converts and transfers your QuickBooks Desktop data to QuickBooks Online.

If you are moving to a different financial management system, you will need to export your data.

  1. Backup your QuickBooks Desktop company file.
  2. Export your lists, including your chart of accounts, customer lists, and supplier lists.
  3. Download all sales and purchase invoices. It is recommended to download these year by year, or month by month if you have a high volume (over 25 per month).
  4. Download and save copies of all your bank statements.
  5. Set up your new system by entering your opening balances and importing your lists and open transactions.

Note: If you no longer have access to your desktop software, you can use this 30-day trial version of QuickBooks Desktop 2021 to access and export your company file:

You can use the data export tool to view standard reports and download them for your records. This tool is for viewing and saving data only and cannot be used to migrate your file to QuickBooks Online.


Frequently asked questions

What if I have a perpetual (outright) licence?

If you hold a perpetual licence (e.g., for QuickBooks Desktop 2016 or earlier), you may still be able to open your company data file on your desktop. However, the software is no longer supported, receives no security updates, and crucially, cannot be used for MTD for VAT submissions.

Can I use the US or Canadian version of QuickBooks Desktop?

No. Company data files from the UK and Ireland are not compatible with QuickBooks Desktop versions from other regions.

Are new versions or updates for QuickBooks Desktop available?

No. Development, updates, and support for all UK and Irish versions of QuickBooks Desktop ended on 30 June 2023.

How do I move my QuickBooks Desktop data to QuickBooks Online?

We recommend using our partner, Movemybooks. Their conversion tool automates the transfer of your data to QuickBooks Online.

Can I move data from multiple companies to QuickBooks Online at once?

This requires a guided process. Please contact our sales team on 0808 168 4270 to discuss your options.

I am an accountant, what support is available?

We can connect you with an expert to help find the right solution for your firm. Please call us on 0808 239 4289.

Why is QuickBooks Desktop still available in other countries?

This decision was specific to the UK market, driven by local factors like MTD regulations and the rapid shift towards cloud-based accounting solutions.


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