Payroll is an essential part of any company; and if you are searching for the best payroll option that will fit your needs, it can become confusing. The following will give you an overview of QuickBooks Payroll as a possible payroll option.
QuickBooks accounting software is used by a large number of users, from consumers to bookkeepers and accountants, and the QuickBooks Payroll module lets you calculate payroll, pay employees, and file/prepare taxes. QuickBooks Payroll will work with an existing QuickBooks version or it can be purchased as a stand-alone product.
There are three options of QuickBooks payroll from which you can choose. The following outlines the features/benefits of each to help you choose the best option.
- QuickBooks Desktop Basic
This QB Payroll version is best for businesses that simply need to create paychecks, send direct deposits, and calculate payroll taxes. This is a great option for those companies/businesses that are willing to prepare and remit their own payroll tax forms.
- QuickBooks Desktop Enhanced
This version of QuickBooks Payroll provides all the features the businesses may need to run payroll in-house. This version can create paychecks, calculate taxes and send direct deposits. In addition, Enhanced Payroll can prepare and e-file federal and state tax forms. You can also pay tax deposits electronically with the Enhanced version.
- QuickBooks Desktop Assisted Full-Service
This version is available to those companies who want to outsource their payroll functions. With this version, companies will enter hours for employees within QuickBooks, with Intuit’s accountants preparing and delivering the paychecks, direct depositions and tax functions.
Quick Comparison of Basic, Enhanced and Assisted
| Basic | Enhanced | Assisted Payroll | |
| Cost per month | $29 + $2 per employee | $5 +2 per employee | $109 + 2 per employee |
| QuickBooks Desktop Integration | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pay W-2 Employees | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pay 1099 Contractors | Yes | Yes | Yes
|
| Pay by Check or Direct Deposit | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Print W-2s | No | Yes | Yes |
| Electronically File W2s | No | Yes | Yes |
| Federal Tax Forms | No | Yes | Yes |
| State Tax Forms | No | Yes | Yes |
| E-file and e-pay forms and taxes | No | Yes | No |
| Tax Forms/Payments prepared and filed for you | No | No | Yes |
| Payroll Set up completed for you | No | No | Yes |
| Year-End Forms | No | No | Yes |
Available Support/Help
QuickBooks Payroll plans all come with tech support. You will receive an email containing several main support options when you sign up for your plan; however, there are some additional support options that may prove to be helpful.
Payroll New Customer Center — This is an excellent resource to take advantage of prior to setting up your Payroll account. The resources can help you set up QB Payroll, along with migrating data from other software. There are also FAQs and helpful articles in the Payroll New Customer Center (https://payroll.intuit.com/support/newuser/index.jsp)
Help Centers — There are help centers for both the Basic and Enhanced versions<<https://community.intuit.com/browse/quickbooks-desktop-payroll-DIY-general>, along with the Assisted Payroll version<https://community.intuit.com/browse/quickbooks-desktop-payroll-assisted-general>.
Now that you have seen an overview of each of the different QB Payroll options, you should be able to make a decision as to which one is best for your company. If you still want to evaluate each version, you can take advantage of Intuit’s free 30-day payroll trial period.
