How to Cancel Payroll in QuickBooks Online

Overview

If you need to cancel your QuickBooks Online Payroll subscription, there are several important steps to complete before canceling to avoid tax filing issues and penalties.

Before You Cancel

1. Make Sure Tax Payments Are Current

Ensure that all payroll tax payments have been made and are up to date before you cancel. Outstanding tax liabilities need to be resolved to avoid penalties from the IRS or state tax agencies.

2. Complete All Quarterly Forms

File all required quarterly payroll tax forms (such as Form 941 and state equivalents) before canceling. Missing a quarterly filing deadline can result in fines even after the subscription is canceled.

3. Plan for Ongoing Tax Obligations

Even after canceling QuickBooks Payroll, you may still have year-end obligations such as issuing W-2s and filing annual returns. Make sure you have a plan to handle these outside of QuickBooks, or wait until after year-end filings are complete before canceling.

How to Cancel

1. Sign in to QuickBooks Online -- Log into the account that has the payroll subscription.
2. Go to Account Settings -- Click the Gear icon and select Account and Settings.
3. Navigate to Billing & Subscription -- Find the payroll subscription section.
4. Cancel the payroll plan -- Follow the prompts to cancel the subscription.

Important Notes

• Canceling payroll does not automatically cancel your QuickBooks Online subscription. They are separate subscriptions.
• Download or export any payroll reports you may need for your records before canceling, as access to historical payroll data may be limited after cancellation.