Install the plugin on each Windows PC that creates or edits invoices (a new computer or a new bookkeeper's machine, for example). Set up your TaxCloud account first if you haven't: Set up your TaxCloud account. Have your API Key and Connection ID from that step handy — you'll enter them in Step 4.

Install the plugin on each Windows PC that creates or edits invoices (a new computer or a new bookkeeper's machine, for example). Set up your TaxCloud account first if you haven't: **[Set up your TaxCloud account](https://support.taxcloud.com/en-us/articles/set-up-your-taxcloud-account-for-quickbooks-desktop-qPQgfTk5ES)**. Have your **API Key** and **Connection ID** from that step handy — you'll enter them in Step 4.

## Before you begin

### Verify requirements

* **Windows 10 or 11** (Windows Server 2019+ for hosted QuickBooks).
* **QuickBooks Desktop 2024** — **Pro Plus**, **Premier Plus**, or **Enterprise**. Windows only; QuickBooks Desktop for Mac is not supported. No separate QuickBooks SDK is needed.
* **At least 10 GB of RAM** on the machine.
* **Admin rights** for the install (day-to-day use doesn't need them).
* **A TaxCloud account** with a QuickBooks Desktop connection and API key.
* **Outbound HTTPS** to `api.v3.taxcloud.com`, `api.github.com`, and `objects.githubusercontent.com` (the first is the TaxCloud API; the other two power automatic updates).

### Decide where to install

Decide which machines will run the plugin before you start — it depends on how you use QuickBooks:

* **One bookkeeping PC:** install on that one PC. Done.
* **Multi-user company file (on a file server):** install on the workstations that create or edit invoices, but run the plugin on only **one** workstation at a time against the same company file — running it on several at once produces duplicate API traffic. You'll enter your credentials (Step 4) on each machine.
* **Hosted QuickBooks (Right Networks, Ace Cloud, Citrix, Azure Virtual Desktop):** install once per Windows user on the hosted server. If your host redirects `%LOCALAPPDATA%` to a network share, automatic updates can stall — plan to update manually by re-running the installer. Make sure the host allows the outbound HTTPS addresses under **Verify requirements**.

## Step 1: Download the installer

Download the latest installer (`TaxCloud.QuickBooks.Plugin-win-Setup.exe`, about 100 MB) from the [releases page](https://github.com/FedTax/quickbooks-desktop-releases/releases/latest).

## Step 2: Run the installer


1. Double-click the downloaded `...Setup.exe`.
2. Approve the Windows prompt if it appears.
3. Double-click the **TaxCloud QuickBooks Plugin** shortcut on your Desktop. This first launch starts the plugin and sets it to run automatically at every Windows login.

There's **no setup wizard** — the installer copies files, adds Desktop and Start Menu shortcuts, and exits in a few seconds. If nothing seems to happen, that's expected; confirm it's running in Step 3.

## Step 3: Find the tray icon

Within 5–10 seconds a TaxCloud icon appears in the Windows system tray (near the clock). On Windows 10/11 it often lands in the hidden overflow area — click the `^` chevron next to the clock to find it, then drag it onto the always-visible taskbar so it's easy to reach.

 ![TaxCloud icon in the Windows system tray overflow area](https://support.taxcloud.com/api/attachments.redirect?id=597d17a9-89b2-4ad4-a07c-6da70dea4640 " =510x92")

## Step 4: Enter your TaxCloud credentials

Connect the plugin to your TaxCloud account.


1. Right-click the **TaxCloud** tray icon and choose **Open Settings**.
2. Under **Connection**, paste your **API Key** and **Connection ID** (from **[Set up your TaxCloud account](https://support.taxcloud.com/en-us/articles/set-up-your-taxcloud-account-for-quickbooks-desktop-qPQgfTk5ES)**).
3. Click **Save**.

After you save, the API key collapses to a masked display (••••••••) and is stored encrypted on your PC. To change it later, click **Replace**.

 ![Plugin Settings window with the API Key and Connection ID fields](https://support.taxcloud.com/api/attachments.redirect?id=ba2b9f5f-e12c-4edd-b04e-25c07632347d " =2176x1692")

## Step 5: Give the plugin access to QuickBooks

The first time the plugin connects, QuickBooks asks whether to allow it to read and modify your company file. This is a one-time prompt per company file.


1. Open QuickBooks Desktop with your company file.
2. Within about 30 seconds, the **Application Certificate** dialog appears.
3. Choose **"Yes, whenever this QuickBooks company file is open."**

   
:::info
   Choose this option — it works in both single-user and multi-user mode. **Don't** choose "even when QuickBooks isn't running": it only works in single-user mode and stops tax from calculating once the file is opened in multi-user mode.

   :::
4. Click the **"Learn more about permissions of applications that integrates with QuickBooks"** link. QuickBooks won't let you type in the confirmation box until you do.

    ![The "Learn more about permissions…" link in the Application Certificate dialog](https://support.taxcloud.com/api/attachments.redirect?id=f7d09f3d-1678-44cf-a148-182037ea0bad " =1424x90")
5. Confirm (type `yes` if prompted), then click **Continue → Done**.

 ![QuickBooks Application Certificate dialog granting the TaxCloud plugin access](https://support.taxcloud.com/api/attachments.redirect?id=0195bda4-ebaa-4e4a-9078-fee3ab6620bf " =1394x1350")

If the **Application Certificate** dialog doesn't appear within a minute or two, open **Edit → Preferences → Integrated Applications → Company Preferences** and confirm "Don't allow any applications to access this company file" is unchecked, then reopen the company file.

## Step 6: Restart QuickBooks

Close QuickBooks completely (**File → Exit**) and reopen it, so the plugin picks up your company file cleanly. You can always reach the plugin's settings by right-clicking the tray icon.

## What happens next

The plugin now starts automatically every time you log into Windows. If QuickBooks isn't open when it starts, it waits and connects as soon as you open your company file. Read how to calculate and capture your taxes here: **[Calculating and capturing tax](https://support.taxcloud.com/en-us/articles/calculating-and-capturing-tax-in-quickbooks-desktop-1YWKditL4Z)**.


:::info
**Where tax is calculated from.** The plugin uses your QuickBooks **Company Info** address (**Company → My Company** — the **Company Name & Address**, or the **Legal Name & Address** if that's blank) as the ship-from origin for tax, so it must be a real, complete US address. This is automatic — there's nothing to configure. If you ship from a different location and need tax calculated from that address, contact support.

:::

Install the plugin on each Windows PC that creates or edits invoices (a new computer or a new bookkeeper's machine, for example). Set up your TaxCloud account first if you haven't: **[Set up your TaxCloud account](https://support.taxcloud.com/en-us/articles/set-up-your-taxcloud-account-for-quickbooks-desktop-qPQgfTk5ES)**. Have your **API Key** and **Connection ID** from that step handy — you'll enter them in Step 4.

## Before you begin

### Verify requirements

* **Windows 10 or 11** (Windows Server 2019+ for hosted QuickBooks).
* **QuickBooks Desktop 2024** — **Pro Plus**, **Premier Plus**, or **Enterprise**. Windows only; QuickBooks Desktop for Mac is not supported. No separate QuickBooks SDK is needed.
* **At least 10 GB of RAM** on the machine.
* **Admin rights** for the install (day-to-day use doesn't need them).
* **A TaxCloud account** with a QuickBooks Desktop connection and API key.
* **Outbound HTTPS** to `api.v3.taxcloud.com`, `api.github.com`, and `objects.githubusercontent.com` (the first is the TaxCloud API; the other two power automatic updates).

### Decide where to install

Decide which machines will run the plugin before you start — it depends on how you use QuickBooks:

* **One bookkeeping PC:** install on that one PC. Done.
* **Multi-user company file (on a file server):** install on the workstations that create or edit invoices, but run the plugin on only **one** workstation at a time against the same company file — running it on several at once produces duplicate API traffic. You'll enter your credentials (Step 4) on each machine.
* **Hosted QuickBooks (Right Networks, Ace Cloud, Citrix, Azure Virtual Desktop):** install once per Windows user on the hosted server. If your host redirects `%LOCALAPPDATA%` to a network share, automatic updates can stall — plan to update manually by re-running the installer. Make sure the host allows the outbound HTTPS addresses under **Verify requirements**.

## Step 1: Download the installer

Download the latest installer (`TaxCloud.QuickBooks.Plugin-win-Setup.exe`, about 100 MB) from the [releases page](https://github.com/FedTax/quickbooks-desktop-releases/releases/latest).

## Step 2: Run the installer


1. Double-click the downloaded `...Setup.exe`.
2. Approve the Windows prompt if it appears.
3. Double-click the **TaxCloud QuickBooks Plugin** shortcut on your Desktop. This first launch starts the plugin and sets it to run automatically at every Windows login.

There's **no setup wizard** — the installer copies files, adds Desktop and Start Menu shortcuts, and exits in a few seconds. If nothing seems to happen, that's expected; confirm it's running in Step 3.

## Step 3: Find the tray icon

Within 5–10 seconds a TaxCloud icon appears in the Windows system tray (near the clock). On Windows 10/11 it often lands in the hidden overflow area — click the `^` chevron next to the clock to find it, then drag it onto the always-visible taskbar so it's easy to reach.

 ![TaxCloud icon in the Windows system tray overflow area](https://support.taxcloud.com/api/attachments.redirect?id=597d17a9-89b2-4ad4-a07c-6da70dea4640 " =510x92")

## Step 4: Enter your TaxCloud credentials

Connect the plugin to your TaxCloud account.


1. Right-click the **TaxCloud** tray icon and choose **Open Settings**.
2. Under **Connection**, paste your **API Key** and **Connection ID** (from **[Set up your TaxCloud account](https://support.taxcloud.com/en-us/articles/set-up-your-taxcloud-account-for-quickbooks-desktop-qPQgfTk5ES)**).
3. Click **Save**.

After you save, the API key collapses to a masked display (••••••••) and is stored encrypted on your PC. To change it later, click **Replace**.

 ![Plugin Settings window with the API Key and Connection ID fields](https://support.taxcloud.com/api/attachments.redirect?id=ba2b9f5f-e12c-4edd-b04e-25c07632347d " =2176x1692")

## Step 5: Give the plugin access to QuickBooks

The first time the plugin connects, QuickBooks asks whether to allow it to read and modify your company file. This is a one-time prompt per company file.


1. Open QuickBooks Desktop with your company file.
2. Within about 30 seconds, the **Application Certificate** dialog appears.
3. Choose **"Yes, whenever this QuickBooks company file is open."**


:::info
Choose this option — it works in both single-user and multi-user mode. **Don't** choose "even when QuickBooks isn't running": it only works in single-user mode and stops tax from calculating once the file is opened in multi-user mode.

:::


4. Click the **"Learn more about permissions of applications that integrates with QuickBooks"** link. QuickBooks won't let you type in the confirmation box until you do.

    ![The "Learn more about permissions…" link in the Application Certificate dialog](https://support.taxcloud.com/api/attachments.redirect?id=f7d09f3d-1678-44cf-a148-182037ea0bad " =1424x90")
5. Confirm (type `yes` if prompted), then click **Continue → Done**.

 ![QuickBooks Application Certificate dialog granting the TaxCloud plugin access](https://support.taxcloud.com/api/attachments.redirect?id=0195bda4-ebaa-4e4a-9078-fee3ab6620bf " =1394x1350")

If the **Application Certificate** dialog doesn't appear within a minute or two, open **Edit → Preferences → Integrated Applications → Company Preferences** and confirm "Don't allow any applications to access this company file" is unchecked, then reopen the company file.

## Step 6: Restart QuickBooks

Close QuickBooks completely (**File → Exit**) and reopen it, so the plugin picks up your company file cleanly. You can always reach the plugin's settings by right-clicking the tray icon.

## What happens next

The plugin now starts automatically every time you log into Windows. If QuickBooks isn't open when it starts, it waits and connects as soon as you open your company file. Read how to calculate and capture your taxes here: **[Calculating and capturing tax](https://support.taxcloud.com/en-us/articles/calculating-and-capturing-tax-in-quickbooks-desktop-1YWKditL4Z)**.


:::info
**Where tax is calculated from.** The plugin uses your QuickBooks **Company Info** address (**Company → My Company** — the **Company Name & Address**, or the **Legal Name & Address** if that's blank) as the ship-from origin for tax, so it must be a real, complete US address. This is automatic — there's nothing to configure. If you ship from a different location and need tax calculated from that address, contact support.

:::




Install the TaxCloud QuickBooks Plugin

Updating to TaxCloud's new Shopify App (June 2024)

Shopify Order Import in TaxCloud

Shopify Reporting FAQ

Connecting TaxCloud to Shopify

How to Mark Customers Tax Exempt in Shopify

Keeping your TaxCloud and Shopify collection states in sync 

Shopify

Why do my TaxCloud orders have Fallback rates in BigCommerce?

Connecting TaxCloud to BigCommerce

Marking a Customer Exempt in BigCommerce

Upgrading from the Legacy BigCommerce Integration

BigCommerce

How to connect my Odoo store to TaxCloud

How to Connect my TaxCloud Account to Odoo Sale (Loyalty)

How To Connect my TaxCloud Account to Odoo Sale (Loyalty) - Delivery

How to Connect my TaxCloud Account to Odoo eCommerce

How to Connect my TaxCloud Account to Odoo Sale

How to Connect my TaxCloud Account to Odoo Amazon/TaxCloud Bridge

How to Connect my TaxCloud Account to Odoo TaxCloud & Subscriptions

Upgrading TaxCloud Modules in Odoo

Odoo

Connecting TaxCloud to WooCommerce

Enabling Exemptions In TaxCloud for WooCommerce

How to Configure WooCommerce Order Capture Behavior with TaxCloud

Understanding WooCommerce Integration Modes

How to Download Debug Logs in TaxCloud for WooCommerce

How to Enable Rate Limiting in TaxCloud for WooCommerce

WooCommerce

Troubleshooting QuickBooks Online Tax Calculation Errors

QuickBooks Online Integration: How to Resolve a Missing Account, Product Code, or Sales Tax Item Error

Managing your QuickBooks Online Product Catalog TICs in TaxCloud

How the QuickBooks Online Integration Works

How to Fix QuickBooks Online Line Items Showing No Tax (TIC 99992)

Preparing Your Invoice for Accurate Tax Calculation

Calculating Sales Tax on QuickBooks Online Invoices

Managing Invoices with Multiple Payments in Quickbooks (Real-Time Integration)

Calculating Sales Tax on QuickBooks Online Sales Receipts

Calculating Sales Tax on Estimates

Calculating Sales Tax on Credit Memos

Calculating Sales Tax on Refund Receipts

Managing Exempt Customers in TaxCloud for QuickBooks Online

Changing the Sales Tax Display Mode for QuickBooks Online

Connecting TaxCloud to QuickBooks Online

Reconnecting the QuickBooks Online integration after auth invalidation

QuickBooks Online

Connecting TaxCloud to Adobe Commerce or Magento

Marking Customers Exempt in Adobe Commerce

Adobe Commerce & Magento

Connecting TaxCloud to Chargebee

Chargebee

Connecting TaxCloud to Miva

Miva

Building a direct API integration with TaxCloud

Video: How to add or disable an integration

How to Add and Manage Integrations in TaxCloud

Reviewing and Submitting an Exemption Certificate

Building a custom API connection with TaxCloud

General Integrations

Connecting TaxCloud to Stripe

How to Mark Customers Tax Exempt in Stripe

Stripe

CSV Upload

Set up your TaxCloud account for QuickBooks Desktop

Calculating and capturing tax in QuickBooks Desktop

TaxCloud QuickBooks Plugin settings reference

Assign product tax codes (TICs) in QuickBooks Desktop

Mark a customer tax-exempt in QuickBooks Desktop

Troubleshooting the TaxCloud QuickBooks Plugin

Keeping the TaxCloud QuickBooks Plugin updated

Migrating to TaxCloud from Avalara or another tax tool (QuickBooks Desktop)

QuickBooks Desktop

Integrations

Getting Started

Account and Billing

Plans and Pricing

TaxCloud's APIs

General

Exemptions and Certificates

Support and Resources

State Notices and Licenses

Transactions and Reporting

Filing and Compliance

Tax Concepts

TaxCloud Onboarding Webinars

What is TaxCloud's Premium Trial?

How to Set Up and Manage Locations

How to Take Your Integration Live

Preparing For Onboarding

How to add/remove a contact from your TaxCloud account.

How to Update My New Business Address With The States?

Best Practices for your TaxCloud Account

Verify Your TaxCloud Account is Complete for Calculations

How to Enable & Disable Tax Collection in a State

How do I reset my Password?

Video: How to complete your TaxCloud Business Profile

How to Use Multi-Account Login

How to Close Your TaxCloud Account and Cancel Subscription

I have a new EIN. How does that impact my TaxCloud account?

TaxCloud Account Lockout Policy

How to change the email address on your TaxCloud account

Account Management

How to create a TaxCloud account?

Account Setup

How can I get a copy of my TaxCloud invoice receipt?

How Payment Methods Are Used For Billing and Tax Funding

How do I change my default payment method?

How to Add a Payment Method in TaxCloud

Understanding Your Plans & Billing Page

Billing and Payments

Understanding the difference between TaxCloud Starter and Premium Plans

Changing your TaxCloud Subscription Plan

Fee Schedule: Understanding TaxCloud Fees

What are API calls and what do they do?

Where to Find Your API Credentials

TaxCloud System Status

What happens if I go over my allotment of orders or filings?

What's the difference between a lookup and an order?

Understanding the Minnesota Delivery Fee

How to Speak to a member of each state's DOR

Does TaxCloud collect the Colorado Retail Delivery Fee (CO RDF)?

How do I find my Merchant Number?

What Services Does TaxCloud Provide?

Is TaxCloud collecting Illinois Retailer's Occupation Tax (ROT)?

What is a multi-state id or sstid?

How do I confirm a rate with TaxCloud?

What is a voluntary seller?

How to Speak to a Member of Each State's Tax Authority or Department of Revenue

Can TaxCloud help with my State Income Taxes?

What are Home Rule States?

Understanding Nexus Threshold Calculations

How to Add an Exemption Certificate to TaxCloud

How to Upload Exemption Certificates in Bulk

What is an Exemption Certificate?

TaxCloud Audit Support Overview

How to contact TaxCloud?

Does TaxCloud Handle Sales Tax License Renewals?

Nebraska - Enforcement of Lien Notice

How to register in a new state and obtain my Sales Tax License

Louisiana State Sales Tax Rate Update

Florida Hunting, Fishing, and Camping Sales Tax Holiday (Sept 8 – Dec 31, 2025)

When To Forward a State Notice to Taxcloud

Arkansas - Excise, Waste Tire or Withholding Wage Tax

California - CDTFA Statement of Account

Colorado SUTS Filing Reminder Notices

Connecticut - Delinquency Notice

Florida - Credit Memo

Indiana - Notice of Proposed Assessment

Michigan - Business Taxes Registration Summary of Changes

New Jersey - Certificate of Registration

North Carolina - Certificate of Registration

Rhode Island - Failure to Renew

Tennessee - Notice of Overpayment

Texas - Notice of Tax/Fee Due

Texas - Sales & Use Tax Return Paper Form

Wyoming - License Certificate

When does TaxCloud pull my tax funding?

Understanding Tax Reports and Drilling Into Transaction Details

Does Washington B&O (excise) Tax Appear in Your TaxCloud Reporting?

Understanding the differences between TaxCloud Tax Reporting and Your Platform's Tax Reporting

Using the Download Center for Reports

Reporting

How to Import Partial Refunds via CSV

CSV Template Required Fields and Column Descriptions

When is the deadline to upload my transactions to TaxCloud?

Why are exempt sales taxing in my import?

What is TaxCloud's policy regarding Transaction import timing?

How to Upload Transactions via CSV

Uploading Transactions via CSV

Uploading Historical and Marketplace Transactions via CSV

Transactions: Import and Export

Transaction Timestamp Policy

How to Filter Transactions with Advanced Search

Managing your transactions

How to manually return a transaction in TaxCloud?

Can I edit a transaction?

How to View and Share Transaction Details

How to Locate a Transaction URL in TaxCloud

Transactions: Overview

Navigating Your Tax Dashboard

Understanding TaxCloud's Filing Costs & Filing Subscription

What are TaxCloud Filing Fees?

Understanding Your Tax Reporting Page

What does it cost for TaxCloud to file for me in non-SST states?

Does TaxCloud file Withholding Tax?

Filing: General

How to Request TaxCloud to Begin Filing Sales Tax Returns

How do I confirm my filings have been submitted in SST / Streamline member states?

How to Stop Filings with TaxCloud

How can TaxCloud assist with Filing?

Enabling Filing in TaxCloud (via Thresholds Page)

I just got a filing frequency change notice, what should I do?

How do I know if TaxCloud is filing for me in a state?

Why might my Direct Filing ACH be less than what TaxCloud is saying I collected.