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QuickBooks Assisted Payroll – What is it and How to Set it Up

QuickBooks is an accounting and bookkeeping software that many small businesses use to perform their accounting and bookkeeping processes. It also gets a subscription-based add-on feature called payroll, which further helps with payroll processes, such as sending paychecks via direct deposit or calculating taxes. This helps you cut time spent on other processes, so that you can solely focus on your business.

The subscription cost of payroll depends on the plan you choose. One such plan is QuickBooks Assisted Payroll. With this subscription, QB automatically files the taxes and forms for our business and gives you step-by-step guidance for your payroll setup. It also lets you add as many employees as you want for $2.50 per employee, per pay period. We’ll cover everything you need to know about Intuit Assisted Payroll in this blog.

Do you need advice about the right payroll plan for you, or need help with the payroll setup? Contact our professionals today for an expert’s guidance.

What is QuickBooks Assisted Payroll?

Assisted Payroll QuickBooks is a payroll subscription plan offered by Intuit, which can help you manage the user’s taxes, form filing, and payroll needs. This plan guarantees on-time tax and form filings. If not filed on time, Intuit will be liable to pay any penalties or extra charges. This helps you focus on your important business tasks, ultimately boosting your progress.

Key Benefits of the QuickBooks Desktop Assisted Payroll

Given below are some of the key benefits you can enjoy if you opt for the QB Desktop Assisted Payroll subscription:

  1. QB will automatically file your taxes and forms for you
    • If not filed on time, QB will pay any penalties or charges incurred
  2.  You can avail step-by-step payroll setup guidance from QB
  3. The QB specialists will be there to answer any queries you have regarding payday or other payroll processes
  4. You can add as many employees as you wish to, for just $2.50 per employee, per pay period

These are some of the key benefits of QuickBooks Assisted Payroll.

Additional Fees and Charges for QB Assisted Payroll You Need to Know

Given in the table below are some additional fees and charges you need to know about before opting for Assisted certified payroll in QuickBooks:

FeeDescriptionFee Amount
Late or Backdated PayrollIf your direct deposit funds are not received by 5 PM PT at least two banking days before your payday.$100
NSF (Non Sufficient Funds) PayrollIf your payroll debits, which include payroll taxes and payroll service fees, are returned by the financial institution you’re using due to insufficient funds or uncollected funds.$100
Direct Deposit ReversalIf you want to reverse a direct deposit paycheck sent by mistake.$75 per payroll
Monthly Service Fee Non Sufficient Funds (NSF)If your monthly service fee was returned due to insufficient or uncollected funds by your financial institution.$25
Recovery of DataIf you request to create a new data file.$150
Form or Return CopiesIf you request for an additional copy of a payroll tax return from the current year.$25 per form
Old Form or Return CopiesIf you request for an additional copy of a payroll tax return prior to the year 2000.$100 per year + $25 per form
Year-End Filings With CancellationsIf you request preparation for a year-end filing when you cancel your payroll service.$150 per cancellation
AmendmentsIf you request any changes to a prior tax return for any closed quarter.$375 per amendment case for Wage & Tax
$250 per amendment case for an employee
Legal Entity ChangeIf you request a change in your EIN, ownership, or company type. For example, a partnership to an LLC.Included in the plan—no fee
Tax NoticeIf you request assistance with the resolution of a tax notice that you received from a federal or state agency.Included in the plan—no fee
Payroll CorrectionsIf you request to correct your payroll setup or any prior data errors.Included in the plan—no fee

Now, let us talk about the requirements needed to use the QuickBooks Assisted Payroll.

QuickBooks Payroll Assisted | Key Requirements to Use It

Given in the list below are some of the key requirements that you need to fulfill in order to use the QB Assisted Payroll:

  1. You are required to use QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, or Enterprise version 2023 or above, as payroll has been discontinued for QB versions 2022 and below.
  2. You should have an Employee Identification Number (EIN) issued to you by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
  3. Your EIN should be attested to federal forms and returns filings.
  4. The Assisted QuickBooks Desktop Payroll cost is $79 per month.
  5. A stable high-speed internet connection is a must.

Now, let us see how you can activate the Assisted Payroll in QuickBooks Desktop.

Activate and Set Up Your Assisted Payroll in QB Desktop

Setting up the QB Desktop Assisted Payroll is divided into the following steps: activating the payroll and then setting up your employees and other tasks. You can activate your payroll subscription with the steps given below:

  1. Open the QB Desktop app
  2. Then, open your company file
  3. Go to the Employees menu
  4. Select Payroll
  5. Now, click on Enter Payroll Service Key
  6. Choose Add
  7. Then, feed in your payroll service key
  8. Select Next
  9. Hit Finish
  10. Wait for the Tax Table to finish downloading

Now, this should set up the QB Assisted Payroll on your system. You can check our comprehensive guide for further steps to complete the payroll setup.

Conclusion

QuickBooks Assisted Payroll is a type of payroll subscription offered by Intuit. This feature files your taxes and forms automatically for you with an on-time guarantee. It helps you cut time spent on these tasks so you can work more on your business growth. We have covered all the information you need to know about Assisted Payroll in this blog, including additional costs and setup. If you still have any queries about the Assisted Payroll in QuickBooks, or need help with its setup, contact our experts at 1-855-888-3080 today!

FAQs

What are some payroll plans other than Enhanced Payroll for QuickBooks Desktop?

QuickBooks Basic Payroll and QB Assisted Payroll are some of the plans offered by Intuit, other than the Enhanced Payroll.

What is QB Desktop Assisted Payroll?

QB Assisted Payroll is a type of payroll subscription provided by Intuit, using which you can automatically file forms and taxes with an on-time guarantee.

Does QuickBooks Payroll work with the Desktop version 2020?

No, payroll has been discontinued for QuickBooks Desktop version 2022 and below. If you wish to use the payroll subscription, we suggest upgrading to QB Desktop version 2023 or higher.

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