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Important Updates for QuickBooks Desktop Users

Important news for QuickBooks users! Intuit has announced two upcoming cutoff dates for QuickBooks Desktop users’ software — here’s what you need to know.

Discontinuation of QuickBooks Desktop 2021

As of May 31, 2024, QuickBooks Desktop 2021 will be discontinued.* In addition to this change, other integrated services will be inaccessible, such as QuickBooks Desktop Payroll, Desktop Payments, online bank feeds, Online Backup, and Online Banking. If you don’t upgrade QuickBooks Desktop 2021 by June 1, 2024, Intuit will stop providing critical security updates necessary for data protection.

*Products affected by service discontinuation after May 31, 2024:

  • QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2021
  • QuickBooks Desktop Premier 2021 (General Business, Contractor, Manufacturing & Wholesale, Nonprofit, Professional Services, and Retail)
  • QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 2021
  • QuickBooks Premier Accountant Edition 2021
  • QuickBooks Enterprise Accountant 2021
  • QuickBooks Desktop for Mac 2021

No New Subscriptions for Certain Versions of Desktop

After July 31, 2024, Intuit will stop selling new subscriptions for QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus, Premier Plus, Mac Plus, and Enhanced Payroll. This change does not impact existing users so long as they are in the 2022 or newer version and annual subscriptions are current. However, if you are a new customer considering these products or an existing customer who has yet to upgrade from 2021, you will want to subscribe or update before July 31, 2024.

Key Takeaways for QuickBooks Desktop Users:

  • Any version of QuickBooks Desktop 2021 (listed above) will be discontinued as of May 31, 2024.
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2021 or older: users need to upgrade to a supported ‘Plus’ version before July 31, 2024.
  • QuickBooks Desktop Pro & Premier versions 2021 or older: users cannot upgrade after July 31, 2024.
  • QuickBooks Desktop 2022 or newer: users with an active annual desktop subscription are considered to be in a supported version after July 31, 2024.*
    • *QuickBooks will only support the three most recent years of Desktop software. Once Intuit releases the 2025 version, 2022 users will need to upgrade to supported versions (2023, 2024, or 2025.) This upgrade is included in the annual fee paid each year.
  • New QuickBooks users wishing to purchase a new desktop software after July 31, 2024, will only be able to purchase the Enterprise version.

As these dates draw near, Intuit encourages users to consider migrating from the Desktop to the online version. The online version is a web-based solution offering similar functionality to Desktop but with the added benefit of cloud-based access. However, software implementation and migration can take time to complete. Perkins advises clients who are considering purchasing the QuickBooks Desktop product for the first time or converting to the online version to learn and evaluate their options. More importantly, act soon. If you have any questions, the Client Accounting Services team at Perkins is here to help.