Editor’s Note: The third segment in Liz's four-part series on understanding the various features and capabilities of QuickBooks Online Payroll focuses on transition access. For more insights, join Liz for 'QB Talks' on Wednesday, March 16, as she discusses the latest developments in QBO Payroll.
Intuit Online Payroll will be hanging its hat in June of this year. The great news is if you have not already migrated over to QuickBooks Online Payroll, Intuit has opened a transition period through May. The transition access includes a portal to help move your data from Intuit® Online Payroll (IOP) and Intuit Full Service Payroll subscriptions to a standalone QuickBooks Online Payroll service.
The Transition from IOP to QBO Payroll
IOP users who choose not to move before May will be migrated from Intuit Online Payroll or Intuit Full Service Payroll to QuickBooks Online Payroll Core. Once migrated, you still will be able to change the type of subscription level. QuickBooks Payroll Core is a full-service product with the option for e-pay and e-filing payroll tax liabilities.
All your payroll data stays intact, including reports, notes and alerts. That means no interruption to your or your clients’ business. The only difference is that you will be running payroll from QuickBooks Online Payroll.
Meet the New Lineup
You can choose from a few different QBO Payroll subscriptions: QuickBooks Online Payroll Core, Premium and Elite. It is excellent to know and understand the differences between these subscriptions so you can guide your client on what level of service is best for them.
It is important to note that QuickBooks Online Payroll Core does not include QB Time. All the Payroll plans include:
- Auto Payroll
- Health benefits for your team
- 401(k) plans
- 1099 E-File & Pay
- Expert product support
- Next-day direct deposit
Suppose your clients’ company has multiple state taxes, a more significant number of employees, and healthcare plans. In that case, it is best to go with the QuickBooks Online Payroll Premium subscription as it includes additional features such as workers’ comp, state new-hiring reporting and access to the HR support center.
If you want to learn more about the different types of QBO Payroll subscriptions, the QBO Payroll Training will be able to help.
Here are some most frequently asked questions that will help you during the sunset of IOP.
*Question: When a client is transitioned to QuickBooks Payroll, which version of QuickBooks Payroll will they be migrated to?
Answer: They will be migrated to the default QuickBooks Payroll Core subscription.
*Question: When a client is transitioned to the new QuickBooks Payroll subscriptions, what data will be exported and migrated?
Answer: All your payroll data stays intact, including reports, notes, and alerts. That means no interruption to your or your clients’ business. The only difference is that you will be running payroll from QuickBooks Online Payroll.
*Question: When a client accesses their QuickBooks, what will they see? Will clients have the ability to make edits and changes to payroll?
Answer: According to my sources, we know there are multiple versions of payroll. A QuickBooks Online Payroll standalone subscription is located outside of the QuickBooks Online accounting subscription using your same login credentials. So yes, both options are possible for accountants in combination with clients to determine is best for payroll to be located inside or outside of the QuickBooks accounting subscription.
*Question: When a client accesses their QuickBooks Payroll, will pricing be visible?
Answer: From what I have heard, we currently know that clients can view the pricing of all QuickBooks products by searching the internet. However, they do not have wholesale prices visible inside their QuickBooks subscription for those clients on wholesale pricing.
*Question: When a client is transitioned to QuickBooks Online Payroll, will the client subscription be visible on the QuickBooks Online Accountant dashboard?
Answer: Judging from what I have been told, we know clients with QuickBooks Online Payroll subscriptions. Yes, they are visible and accessible from our QuickBooks Online Accountant dashboard. One known caveat is when users have QuickBooks Online Payroll standalone accounts accessible when choosing which company to log in to.
You and your clients will move to Intuit’s ProAdvisor® Preferred Pricing, which offers the best discounts. There also are additional discounts for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Time.
ProAdvisor Preferred Pricing Details
*Question: When a client has an existing QB Time subscription that is not linked to IOP, will the QB Time and QuickBooks Payroll Premium and/or Elite subscription automatically be bundled?
Answer: If your clients have QuickBooks Time, they will be transitioned to the QuickBooks Online Payroll product that aligns with their current QuickBooks Time level.
For example, QuickBooks Time Premium users will transition to QuickBooks Online Payroll Premium, which includes the features of QuickBooks Time Premium.
*Question: What options and control do the accountant, or end-user client have when migrating QB Time to the bundled QuickBooks Online Payroll Premium and/or Elite subscription?
Answer: Once transitioned, your clients will be provided with a number in the product that they need to call to finish connecting their existing QB Time account to their new Payroll product. During this call, billing for the existing QB Time account will be canceled, since the cost now is included in Payroll.
*Question: What are the steps when migrating an IOP client to QuickBooks Online Payroll subscriptions?
Answer: Log into your Intuit Online Payroll account and choose when you want to transition. You’ll be able to select the new plan for your clients (Core, Premium or Elite). Once you decide to transition, we will take care of the rest and let you know when it is finished. You will have access to your clients’ data, including reports, notes and alerts in QuickBooks Online Payroll.
Once the transition is finished, QuickBooks will provide instructions to the QuickBooks Online Accountant. You will see two companies if you previously had a QuickBooks Online Accountant account. Some accountants may wish to keep their clients who were previously on Intuit Payroll separate from their other clients for ease of management. We are working toward a solution for those who would like to consolidate clients into a single account, and will notify you when this is made available.
*Question: What other advice do you have for accountants and end-user clients during the sunset migration of IOP?
Answer: The transition process is designed to be seamless, and your data stays where it is. That means you can pick up running payroll right after your transition is complete, if needed. Our advice for firms is to familiarize any staff who will be managing client accounts with QuickBooks before the transition occurs. Many companies offer QuickBooks tutorials online, but we also recommend exploring the QuickBooks Proadvisor certified training, which will allow you to quickly get up to speed on the features and benefits of QuickBooks Payroll.
For more information on how the sunsetting of IOP might affect you, check out this article with frequently asked questions.
Join Liz for "QB Talks" on Wednesday, March 16, as she discusses the latest developments in QBO Payroll - Register Here
Liz Scott is a multi-business entrepreneur working to bring together technology and accountants through her business, Liz Scott Consulting. A member of Intuit Trainer/Writer Network, she authored and taught Master level courses, including Advisory Guides and Consulting Tools for Accountants. In addition to Liz Scott Consulting, she also owns Accounting Lifeline, a firm to serve small businesses with their financial needs. Liz is a co-host of the "Appy Hour," which helps other accountants learn about the different tools and apps for small business needs. Holding a high passion for real estate investment, she owns properties throughout Oklahoma.
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