Everything you need to plan and complete your move from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online — from converting your file to fixing errors and getting set up after the switch.
Understand which features and data transfer automatically and what may need manual setup after the move.
Use Intuit's built-in migration tool to move your QuickBooks Desktop company file directly to QBO.
Some data may not convert cleanly. Use the error-fixing guide to resolve common issues after migration.
Follow the post-migration checklist to make sure your QBO account is fully configured and ready to use.
The cleanest switch is at year-end (January 1) — no prior YTD data to carry over and W-2s are handled entirely by QBO Payroll. Quarter-end is the next best option. If neither is possible, switch immediately after a completed payroll run and before the next one begins. Never switch mid-pay-period.
QuickBooks Desktop payroll history does not automatically migrate to QBO Payroll. If switching mid-year, you must manually enter year-to-date wages, tax withholdings, and deductions for each employee so QBO Payroll can file accurate quarterly 941s and year-end W-2s.
After migrating, you'll need to configure QBO Payroll from scratch — pay schedules, tax IDs, direct deposit, employee deductions, workers' comp codes, and time tracking. This is separate from converting your company file and requires its own setup checklist.
Before running your first live payroll in QBO, use the Preview Payroll option to verify employee pay amounts, tax withholdings, and deductions against your last Desktop payroll run. Only submit once everything matches — this is your best opportunity to catch setup issues before they affect paychecks.
A QSP maps your existing data, flags potential issues, and builds a cutover timeline before the first file is touched.
Mid-year payroll migrations are complex. A QSP handles year-to-date balances and timing so nothing falls through the cracks.
From chart of accounts cleanup to employee setup, QSPs stay involved after go-live to make sure QBO is running correctly.
Many QSPs offer QBO and QBO Payroll at reduced rates through Intuit's Solution Provider program.