Sometimes, in the course of running a business, you need a clean slate. Whether due to changing business strategies, mistakes, or simply needing a fresh start, knowing how to delete a company in QuickBooks Online (QBO) is important for managing your financial data effectively. In this guide, we’ll go over the steps to delete your company data based on how long your account has been active. This information will help you avoid common mistakes and save time.

Deleting Company Data for Accounts Under 60 Days

If your QuickBooks Online account is less than 60 days old, you are in a pretty good position. It is possible to completely purge your company data and start over. Be aware that this action is irreversible, meaning you cannot get back the data once you delete it.

Steps to Remove Company Data:

  1. Log in to your QuickBooks Online account.
  2. In the address bar, change /homepage to /purgecompany. For instance, replace https://qbo.intuit.com/c28/app/homepage with https://qbo.intuit.com/c28/app/purgecompany.
  3. Review the summary of items set to be deleted.
  4. Type "YES" to confirm the deletion and click "OK".
  5. Click "Wipe Data" to finalize the process.

After completing these steps, you'll be back at your QBO homepage, but without any company data. This option is great for those wanting to wipe the slate clean.

Cancelling Your Subscription for Accounts Over 60 Days

For accounts older than 60 days, you’ll no longer have the purging option. Instead, you will need to cancel your subscription. Even after you cancel, your data will remain accessible as read-only for one year before it is deleted automatically. This period allows you to access important information if needed.

Steps to Cancel Your Subscription:

  1. Log into QuickBooks Online as an admin user.
  2. Click on the Gear icon in the top right corner and select "Account and Settings".
  3. Go to the "Billing & Subscription" tab.
  4. Find the QuickBooks section and click on "Cancel subscription" or "Cancel online".
  5. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete your cancellation.

After cancellation, the company account will display a "Canceled" status. Remember, your data will still be available in read-only mode for a year.

Removing a Company from Your QuickBooks Online Profile

If you have multiple companies in QuickBooks and want to remove one without deleting its data, you can transfer the Master Admin role to another user. This keeps your data intact while letting you manage your companies more effectively.

Steps to Transfer Master Admin Role:

  1. Log in to the QuickBooks account for the company you wish to remove.
  2. Click the Gear icon and select "Manage Users".
  3. Find the user you want to transfer the Master Admin role to and click "Edit".
  4. Set their role as "Master Admin" and send an invitation.
  5. Once the new user accepts, your access will be removed, and the company will no longer show in your profile.

Points to Keep in Mind

Before you start deleting or canceling your QuickBooks Online company, here are a few important tips:

In conclusion, deleting a company from QuickBooks Online involves different steps depending on the age of your account. Whether you want to purge everything or cancel a long-standing account, this guide outlines the necessary actions clearly. Being informed is crucial for managing your business effectively. Keep this guide handy for future reference!