QuickBooks Desktop Payroll: Plans, Pricing & Setup (2026)
QuickBooks Desktop Payroll lets you run payroll, calculate taxes, and pay employees directly inside QuickBooks. It’s a separate subscription layered on your base license. This hub covers what it costs, how direct deposit works, and which plan fits. For the broader picture, see our QuickBooks Desktop overview.
Payroll plans at a glance
| Plan | Approx. cost | Tax filing |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Payroll | ~$640/yr + $7/employee/mo | You file |
| Enhanced Payroll | ~$805/yr + $7/employee/mo | Assisted forms |
| Assisted (Enterprise Diamond) | Bundled | Intuit files for you |
Dig deeper
- QuickBooks Desktop Payroll pricing — full plan and per-employee cost breakdown.
- Direct deposit setup — pay employees electronically.
Budgeting the whole stack? Add payroll costs to the software in our complete pricing breakdown.
Frequently asked questions
How much does QuickBooks Desktop Payroll cost?
QuickBooks Desktop Payroll is a separate subscription on top of your base license — roughly $640/year for Basic and $805/year for Enhanced, plus about $7 per employee per month. Enterprise Gold and Platinum bundle payroll with per-employee fees.
Is QuickBooks Desktop Payroll included with the software?
No. Payroll is an add-on subscription billed separately from your QuickBooks Desktop license, with its own per-employee fees.