What changed with QuickBooks Online?
Intuit announced price increases for QuickBooks Online Essentials, Plus, and Advanced for renewals on or after August 1, 2026. Simple Start was not included in this increase. When the new price shows on your bill depends on your subscription and any promotions that apply.
As of October 6, 2026, the standard monthly list prices are:
| QBO plan | Monthly list price |
| Essentials | $85 |
| Plus | $140 |
| Advanced | $340 |
These are the published prices for the accounting subscription only. Payroll, taxes, and other add-ons are separate. The prices above are a reference point; they may not match the amount on your invoice from us.
Subscription Billing
If we handle your QuickBooks subscription billing, you’ll also see an upcoming increase in that portion of your bill. We’re adjusting those charges to cover the higher QuickBooks costs and applicable taxes. Your new amount will depend on the services connected to your account.
Our subscription charges also include an allowance for applicable taxes. If you have questions about your new fees, start with your usual contact at our firm. They can help explain the adjustment or connect you with the right team member.
For most new subscription arrangements, we now recommend paying Intuit directly. If we currently bill you and you’re interested in switching, our firm can help you review the options and pricing before making a change.
What does payroll cost?
QuickBooks payroll—now marketed as QuickBooks Workforce—has two main pieces to its monthly price: a base subscription fee and a charge for each active employee.
| Payroll plan | Monthly base fee | Per active employee/month |
| Workforce Payroll | $50 | $7 |
| Workforce Premium | $88 | $13 |
| Workforce Elite | $134 | $17 |
These are standard list prices as of October 6, 2026, before taxes, discounts, or additional charges. Payroll is separate from your QBO accounting subscription. Introductory discounts apply to the base fee, not the employee fees.
For example, Premium with five active employees comes to $153 a month: the $88 base fee plus $65 in employee fees.
Understanding your subscription costs is an important first step, but it’s not the only factor that can affect what you pay each month. In our next article we’ll look at a common payroll billing oversight and show you how a quick review of your employee records could help prevent unnecessary charges.
If you have questions about your QuickBooks Online accounts, subscription or pricing, please contact our office.
