Last Updated on September 3, 2025
QuickBooks is a financial accounting platform that supports both small and large businesses, offering a comprehensive array of features for users. It handles operations like payroll creation, payout sending, and tax table creation. However, QuickBooks Desktop offers three types of payroll packages: Basic, Enhanced, and Assisted Payroll.
This blog will help you understand the QuickBooks Assisted Payroll service offered by Intuit. Additionally, we have listed the key requirements and included an additional cost table, which will help you know the costs for the services you wish to utilize.
If you need more help with the assisted payroll in your QuickBooks, feel free to get free guidance from our experts at +1(855)-738-0359.
What are the Different Types of QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Services?
QuickBooks offers three versions for your application, as mentioned, and you can opt for one that suits your needs.
- Assisted Payroll: This subscription is the best you can opt for, as it can help you in filing taxes automatically.
- Assisted Payroll Plus QB Enterprise Diamond: This is suitable for the business management packages that include accounting and inventory management to track payroll.
- Enhanced Payroll: This payroll subscription is very helpful to manage and handle payroll tax payments and filing, saving money.
Now, let us move to the section for basic requirements.
Key Requirements for Accessing QuickBooks Desktop Assisted Payroll
Before accessing the QuickBooks-assisted payroll in your system, it is essential to understand the key requirements. Below is a list of them.
- Stay on the latest or updated version of QuickBooks to access features in Assisted Payroll.
- Ensure to have an Employer Identification Number (EIN), which is allotted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for paying wages. The EIN should be linked to federal forms and return filings.
- You should have a stable and good internet connection.
Ensure to have all the above-mentioned points to safely and seamlessly access and use the features of Assisted Payroll.
Top Benefits of Choosing QuickBooks Assisted Payroll
It is easy and reliable for you to choose the QB Assisted Payroll as your payroll service. Here are some of the benefits that it offers you:
- A simple entry-exit plan is provided for your payroll.
- According to your needs, you can opt for entry and exit options for your payroll services when you choose assisted payroll as a service.
- Intuit’s QuickBooks offers live support with a payroll subscription.
- All types of payments to employees, including both salaried and hourly wages, as well as bonuses, commissions, and other forms of compensation, can be managed with the service.
Let’s now review the package information for assisted payroll additional features, through which you can choose the best option that suits your needs and business.
How to Verify if You Have QuickBooks Assisted Payroll?
To verify if you are having the assisted payroll for your QuickBooks desktop application, follow these steps:
- Tap on the Employees menu.
- Then, choose the ‘My Payroll Service‘ option.
- After clicking on the Manage Service Window, the QuickBooks Service Keys window will appear on your screen.
- Find the payroll service under the Service Name.
These steps will help you check if you have activated assisted payroll for your QuickBooks version.
Additional Charges For Payroll Assisted in QuickBooks Desktop
Although you have purchased the Assisted Payroll for the QuickBooks version, there are additional services that you need to pay for. Listed below are the services and the benefits they provide.
Fee | Description | Price |
Backdated Payroll | Payroll is not received by 5:00 PM PT at least two banking days before the pay date. | $100 |
Payroll Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) | Payroll debits returned by your financial institution for insufficient or uncollectible funds. | $100 |
Monthly Service Fee Insufficient Funds (NSF) | Monthly service fees, returned by your financial institution for insufficient funds | $25 |
DD Reversal | Reverse the Direct Deposit paychecks | $75 per payroll |
Data Recovery | Grant permission to create a new data file | $150 |
Form or Return Copies | Request for an additional copy of a current-year payroll tax return | $25 per form |
Form or Return Copies for prior year | Request for an additional copy of a payroll tax return before the year 2000 | $100 per year + $25 per form |
Cancellations + Year-End Filings | Request the preparation of year-end filings when you cancel your payroll service | $150 per cancellation |
Amendments | Request for alteration to a prior tax return for any closed quarter | Wage & Tax = $375 per amendment case Employee = $250 per amendment case Social Security Number and employee-only changes |
Legal Entity Change | Request a change in EIN, ownership, or company type; i.e., partnership to LLC | Included in the plan, no fee |
Tax Notice | Request assistance with the resolution of a tax notice received from a federal or state agency | Included in the plan, no fee |
Corrections | Request to correct payroll set-up or prior data errors | Included in the plan fee |
These are the additional charges list and what they provide for your better understanding.
How to Set up Assisted Payroll Service in QuickBooks?
To set up the assisted payroll in QuickBooks, here is a detailed guide that will make it easy for you:
- Move to the Employees tab and tap on Set Up Payroll.
- Now, select the Assisted Payroll option and fill out the online application form to complete the federal and state enrollment forms.
- Enter the details in the Interview Wizard and select ‘Place My Order‘ once the above steps are complete.
- Obtain a print of Form 8655 and a limited power of attorney form to be signed by company authorities, and send it to QuickBooks via Fax.
- Under the Interview Wizard window, input two debit details.
- Then, create the Payroll PIN.
- Now, the assisted payroll is activated.
- Once the Payroll Setup Wizard is complete, review the available setups and create additional ones as needed.
- Company Setup
- Employee Setup
- Tax Details
- Year-to-date Payrolls
These are the steps that can help you set up your assisted payroll in QuickBooks software.
Conclusion
In this descriptive blog, we have discussed Intuit’s QuickBooks Assisted Payroll service. We have talked about how it can assist you with creating your payroll and support your business. Additionally, we saw why you should opt for assisted payroll as a service in your QB version.
The blog provided a table with detailed information on the services and pricing to help you move forward with the plan. We then saw how you can easily set up the Assisted payroll service in your QuickBooks version. If you still require guidance, you can contact our experts at +1(855)-738-0359 to receive a complimentary consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
There are different types of QuickBooks versions available for you to use for assisted payroll. This includes QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Self-Employed, QuickBooks Pro, QuickBooks Premier, QuickBooks Enterprise, and QuickBooks for Mac.
QuickBooks Assisted Payroll offers various features, including online pay stubs, printable tax documents, and automatic calculations for federal and state payroll taxes. With the assisted payroll, you can easily handle and manage the tax payments automatically.
There can be numerous benefits provided by assisted payroll in QuickBooks. Utilizing this service in your payroll can be a time-saving and helpful tool for your tasks. The paycheck delivery is automatically processed once the setup is complete. Moreover, all the essential information and features can be found in one place through assisted payroll.

Kate is a certified public accountant (CPA) with expertise in various accounting software. She is technically inclined and finds passion in helping businesses and self-employed people carry out bookkeeping, payroll, and taxation without worrying about errors. Every once in a while, Kate loves to travel to far-off places and relax in the lap of nature.