Of course, here is a detailed and lengthy post on how to cancel an Intuit QuickBooks account.
A Comprehensive Guide on How to Cancel Your Intuit QuickBooks Account
Thinking about canceling your Intuit QuickBooks account? Whether you're moving to a different accounting software, your business needs have changed, or you simply want to take a break, this guide will walk you through the process step-by-step.
Before we dive in, let's get one thing straight: this isn't a quick click-and-done process for everyone. The steps can vary slightly depending on your QuickBooks product (Online, Desktop, Self-Employed), so it's important to follow the instructions carefully to ensure you don't miss anything.
Ready to get started? Let's begin the journey together.
Step 1: Before You Click "Cancel," Let's Talk Data!
Hold on just a second! Before you even think about canceling, it's crucial to download all your important financial data. Once you cancel your subscription, you'll lose access to your account and all the information stored within it. Don't let your valuable data disappear into the digital ether!
So, here's your first mission: download your data.
For QuickBooks Online Users:
Export your reports: Go to the Reports menu and run the reports you need, such as the Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, and General Ledger. You can export these to Excel or PDF.
Export your lists: This includes your Chart of Accounts, Customers, Vendors, and Products and Services. You can export these to an Excel file from the Gear icon -> Export data.
Export transactions: While you can't export all transactions at once in a single file, you can export your bank transactions from the Banking tab. This is a crucial step!
Back up your company file: For an extra layer of security, you can create a backup of your company file. Go to the Gear icon -> Export data -> Export to Desktop. This will give you a copy of your data that you can use with QuickBooks Desktop if you ever decide to switch.
For QuickBooks Desktop Users:
Create a backup: This is the easiest and most important step for Desktop users. Go to File -> Create Backup. Save the backup file to an external hard drive or a cloud storage service.
Export reports: Just like with QuickBooks Online, export any reports you might need for future reference.
Export lists: Export your lists to a comma-separated value (CSV) file.
Once you have secured your data, you can proceed to the next step. Congratulations, you've completed the most important part of this process!
Step 2: Time to Face the Music - The Cancellation Process
Now that your data is safe and sound, it's time to actually cancel the subscription. The steps differ depending on your QuickBooks product, so find your version below and follow the instructions.
For QuickBooks Online (QBO):
Log in to your QuickBooks Online account as the primary admin. You must be the primary admin to cancel the subscription.
Click on the Gear icon (the settings icon) in the top right corner.
Select Account and Settings.
From the left-hand menu, choose Billing & Subscription.
Find your QuickBooks subscription and click on Cancel subscription.
You will be prompted with a series of questions. Don't rush through this! Take a moment to provide your feedback. This is your chance to let Intuit know why you're leaving.
Click on Continue to cancel and follow the on-screen prompts until you see a confirmation message.
You should receive a confirmation email within a few minutes. If you don't, check your spam folder.
For QuickBooks Self-Employed:
Sign in to your QuickBooks Self-Employed account.
Click on the Gear icon and select Billing info.
Click on Cancel subscription.
Just like with QBO, you'll be asked for feedback. Provide your reason for canceling.
Follow the prompts to confirm the cancellation.
Keep an eye out for that confirmation email!
For QuickBooks Desktop:
Canceling a QuickBooks Desktop subscription is a bit different because it's a one-time purchase. You are not billed monthly or annually for the software itself. However, you might have an active subscription for services like:
QuickBooks Desktop Payroll
QuickBooks Desktop Payments
QuickBooks Desktop Enhanced Support
To cancel these services:
Sign in to your Intuit account (the one you used to purchase the services) on the Intuit website.
Go to the Products & Services tab.
Find the service you want to cancel and click on Manage.
From there, you should see an option to Cancel.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the cancellation.
If you don't have an active subscription for any of these services, you don't need to do anything to "cancel" the Desktop software itself. You simply stop using it.
Step 3: What Happens Next?
Once you've canceled, you might be wondering what happens to your account and your data.
Access to your data: You will have read-only access to your data for up to one year from the cancellation date. This is a very important point! You can't add new transactions or edit existing ones, but you can view and export your data.
Billing: Your subscription will remain active until the end of the current billing cycle. You won't get a refund for the current month or year.
Data purging: After the read-only period (typically one year), Intuit reserves the right to purge your data from their servers. This is why Step 1 is so critical.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to common questions about canceling your QuickBooks account.
How to cancel QuickBooks subscription and get a refund?
Intuit's refund policy is generally strict. You can't get a refund for the current month or year of service after canceling. However, if you cancel within the first 60 days of a new subscription, you might be eligible for a refund. You will need to contact Intuit's customer support directly to inquire about a refund.
How to cancel QuickBooks Online during the free trial?
If you're still in your free trial period, you can cancel your subscription by following the same steps as a paid user (Gear icon -> Account and Settings -> Billing & Subscription). You won't be charged if you cancel before the trial ends.
How to cancel QuickBooks Self-Employed?
You can cancel your QuickBooks Self-Employed account by signing in, clicking the Gear icon, selecting 'Billing info,' and then 'Cancel subscription.'
How to cancel QuickBooks Desktop subscription?
You don't "cancel" the Desktop software itself. If you have an active subscription for services like payroll or payments, you can cancel them by logging in to your Intuit account online, going to 'Products & Services,' and managing your subscriptions there.
How to export all data from QuickBooks Online before canceling?
You can export reports and lists to Excel or PDF. For transactions, you can export them from the Banking tab. For a full backup for use with QuickBooks Desktop, use the 'Export to Desktop' feature under the Gear icon.
How to reactivate a canceled QuickBooks account?
You can reactivate your canceled account within one year of the cancellation date by logging in and following the prompts to resubscribe. Your data will be restored if it hasn't been purged.
How to contact QuickBooks support to cancel?
You can contact QuickBooks support by phone or chat. You can find the contact information on the official Intuit support page. Be prepared to provide your account information and follow the verification process.
How to find out if I have a subscription I need to cancel?
Log in to your QuickBooks account (or your Intuit account for Desktop users) and check the 'Billing & Subscription' section or the 'Products & Services' tab. All active subscriptions will be listed there.
How to see my data after I cancel my QuickBooks account?
You will have read-only access to your account for up to one year after canceling. You can log in to view and export reports, but you cannot enter new data.
How to switch from QuickBooks Online to Desktop?
You can switch by exporting your QuickBooks Online data to a file that can be used with QuickBooks Desktop. Use the 'Export to Desktop' option from the Gear icon in QBO. Then, you will need to purchase and install QuickBooks Desktop and import the data you exported.