Install the TaxCloud QuickBooks Plugin
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.
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, andobjects.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.
Step 2: Run the installer
- Double-click the downloaded
...Setup.exe. - Approve the Windows prompt if it appears.
- 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.
Step 4: Enter your TaxCloud credentials
Connect the plugin to your TaxCloud account.
- Right-click the TaxCloud tray icon and choose Open Settings.
- Under Connection, paste your API Key and Connection ID (from Set up your TaxCloud account).
- 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.
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.
-
Open QuickBooks Desktop with your company file.
-
Within about 30 seconds, the Application Certificate dialog appears.
-
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.
5. Confirm (type yes if prompted), then click Continue → Done.
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.
:::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. 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, andobjects.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.
Step 2: Run the installer
- Double-click the downloaded
...Setup.exe. - Approve the Windows prompt if it appears.
- 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.
Step 4: Enter your TaxCloud credentials
Connect the plugin to your TaxCloud account.
- Right-click the TaxCloud tray icon and choose Open Settings.
- Under Connection, paste your API Key and Connection ID (from Set up your TaxCloud account).
- 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.
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.
- Open QuickBooks Desktop with your company file.
- Within about 30 seconds, the Application Certificate dialog appears.
- 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.
:::
-
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.
-
Confirm (type
yesif prompted), then click Continue → Done.
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.
:::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.
:::