QuickBooks payroll subscription needs to be activated is an error that comes up if you’ve entered the incorrect subscription details, Trying to Run QuickBooks Payroll Subscription Need Activated the subscription has expired, or the file containing the subscription detail isn’t working properly.
In this post, you’ll learn how to resolve the error “QuickBooks Payroll not turning on.”
Note:
Some steps may require technical expertise. If you need any help, get in touch with our experts via Live chat
Remove the Paysub.ini File
You don’t have to worry about this file, because QuickBooks will create a new file with the same name after you re-enter your subscription details. This enables you to quickly resolve the error and start working on your payroll software.
Steps to Delete the Corrupt File
- Open Windows Explorer.
- Click on View.
- Select Show.
- Select Hidden Items.
- Click on ok. Now you’ll be able to see all the hidden files and folders on your system.
- Go to the Search field.
- Enter Paysub.ini.
- Right click on the Paysub.ini file.
- Select Delete.
- Repeat the same until you’ve deleted all of the Paysub.ini files in that folder.
Note:
Deleting the paysub.ini file will not impact your payroll data in any manner. It simply contains redundant information that QuickBooks recreates once you verify your subscription after launching the software. Once the subscription is verified, QuickBooks will create a new paysub.ini file with the correct information so that you won’t get any error when working with QuickBooks Payroll.
Now, you’ll have to install the latest payroll updates. Installing the latest updates will provide you with the latest tax rates and tables. You’ll also get the latest forms within the software so that you can easily fill out and file your taxes online.
Verify your Trying to Run QuickBooks Payroll Subscription Need Activated
Once you’ve deleted the paysub.ini file, you’ll be able to reenter your subscription details so that you can go back to working once more.
Update QuickBooks Desktop
Having the latest update to QuickBooks ensures that you can easily download the latest tax tables and forms. You can install all the available updates or select the ones you think are relevant. We recommend that you install all the updates because it makes it easier for QuickBooks to resolve any underlying error.
Here are the steps to update QuickBooks Desktop:
- Right click on the QuickBooks desktop icon.
- Select Run as Administrator.
- Go to the Help menu.
- Select Update QuickBooks Desktop.
- From the Options tab, click on Mark All.
- Select Save.
- Choose Update now, then click on Reset Updates.
- Click on Get Updates and close QuickBooks when the update files have been downloaded.
- Click on Yes to start the installation of all the updates on your system.
Once the software is updated, you’ll get a confirmation message. QuickBooks won’t ask for confirmation to update the software until you close it. But make sure that the update files are downloaded beforehand so that you won’t encounter any errors in the update process.
Note:
You can set up automatic updates in QuickBooks Desktop. Also, in the 5th step, you can choose to select specific updates that you think are relevant for your software.
Get the Latest Tax Tables in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll
Intuit releases regular updates to ensure that their users have the most recent tax tables available with them. In order to ensure this, specific payroll updates are rolled out on a regular basis. These updates modify the rates to the current ones for both federal and state taxes.
To get the latest tax tables in QuickBooks desktop, follow the steps provided below:
- Go to Employees.
- Select Get Payroll Updates.
- Click on Download Entire Update to select this option.
- After clicking on Download Latest Update, you can wait for the updates to be downloaded.
When the updates have been downloaded, you can install them on your system. This ensures that you have the latest tax tables on hand. It also simplifies the process of
Payroll Account Management Portal
You can use the payroll account management portal and log into your account to move with the process ahead. After that you can close the window and open QuickBooks. In QuickBooks desktop, you can later reset the updates.
Activating Payroll in QuickBooks Desktop
If you haven’t activated payroll in QuickBooks desktop, then the payroll features won’t be available inside your accounting software. Only after activating the service can you use the payroll options.
For QuickBooks Desktop Payroll service, you have the following three plans:
- Basic
- Enhanced
- Assisted Service
You can choose any of the following plans on the basis of the number of employees and the features that you require. Most small businesses can do with the basic plan, but mid sized businesses and large companies will require enhanced or assisted service plans of QuickBooks Desktop Payroll.
Online Activation
When you purchase your QuickBooks Desktop Payroll subscription online or by phone from Intuit, you’ll receive an email including the 16 digit service key. If you’ve not received any such key, then we’ve given the steps to retrieve the service key later in this article.
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Payroll Not Activating
To activate the QuickBooks desktop service on your desktop, follow the steps provided below:
- Go to QuickBooks Desktop and open your company file.
- Go to the Employees menu, and click on payroll.
- Click on Enter Payroll Service Key.
- Click on Add.
- Input the 16-digit service key that you received on your registered email address.
- Click on Ok, when the confirmation for Payroll Update appears.
- Ensure that the status of your Payroll Service appears as Active in QuickBooks Desktop.
- Click on Ok.
If you’ve already entered a service key but want to change it, you can select the Edit option instead of the Add option in the 4th step. After that, you need to continue with the same steps so that you can use the new service key to activate payroll within your accounting software.
Note:
If you purchased the payroll subscription from a third party retailer, then you can use the Payroll License and Product Information page and enter the service key to activate your product.
Creating a Payroll PIN
Once you’ve successfully completed the process mentioned above, you need to create a Payroll PIN which will add another layer of security to your payroll data.
First of all, you need to collect all essential information about your principal occifer and business. This information is required to verify payroll status and activate the payroll so that you can record employee details, Trying to Run QuickBooks Payroll Subscription Need Activated deposit money in employees’ bank accounts and file taxes online.
Here is all the information that you’ll have to collect before you start with the online application:
- Essential information of your business:
- Name of business
- Address
- Federal Identification Number (FEIN)
- Essential information of the Principal officer:
- Name
- Address
- Date of birth
- Social security number
- Bank account details
- User ID
- Password
- Account Number
Once you’ve gathered this data, you can move on to the steps given below to complete the online form and create a payroll pin that’ll enable you to directly deposit funds in the accounts of your employees.
- In QuickBooks Desktop, click on Employees from the main menu.
- Select My Payroll Service.
- Click on Activate Assisted Payroll.
- Enter the relevant information while following the on-screen instructions.
- Enter a PIN. Your pin can be 8-12 characters long and include numbers and letters. No special characters are permitted in Payroll PIN
You’ve successfully created the Payroll PIN. Now you need to set up payroll tasks and enter employees. You can also set up taxes and company so that you can fill the tax forms from the data available in Payroll. Then you can use the online tax account to file your taxes online.
Note:
If you’re still struggling with QuickBooks Payroll, get in touch with our experts via live chat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q 1. Can I File Taxes Online from QuickBooks Desktop Payroll?
Ans: Yes, you can. But first you need to add all the essential information, employees, and then collect the tax data. Once you’ve done all this, you can purchase the tax forms online and use the data inside QuickBooks to automatically fill in these forms. Now, you can log into your online tax account, provide the authentication details, and file the forms.
Q 2. How do I Deposit a Paycheck in the Accounts of my Employees?
Ans: QuickBooks Desktop Payroll has the direct deposit features that enables organizations to deposit paychecks in the accounts of their employees. However, before using this feature, you need to enter all the relevant information related to your business and Payroll Officer in QuickBooks Payroll. Once that’s done, you need to create a Payroll Pin, which will be required when authenticating direct deposit.
Q 3. Is my Data Safe in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll?
Ans: All the personally identifiable information in QuickBooks Payroll is secured with the latest encryption techniques to ensure that only authorized users have access to such data. The information of all of your employees is completely safe in QuickBooks Payroll. But by creating a strong password and adding restrictions to user roles, you can easily add a few other layers of security.
