---
# System prepended metadata

title: QuickBooks Payroll Showing Old Tax Exemptions? Here’s Why
tags: [taxation, finance, payroll, accounting, business]

---

<p data-start="169" data-end="614"><strong>Fix QuickBooks payroll error showing outdated exemptions. Contact +1-866-513-4656 for expert QuickBooks tax guidance.</strong></p>
<p data-start="169" data-end="614">If you&rsquo;ve noticed that QuickBooks Payroll is calculating taxes based on outdated exemptions, it can create frustration and serious payroll headaches. Incorrect tax withholding may lead to underpayment, employee confusion, and even IRS or state penalties. Businesses relying on QuickBooks for accurate payroll need this issue resolved quickly. For immediate assistance with this QuickBooks payroll issue, contact experts at <strong data-start="592" data-end="611">+1-866-513-4656</strong>.</p>
<p data-start="169" data-end="614"><strong>Resolve QuickBooks payroll issue showing old tax exemptions. Call +1-866-513-4656 for fast QuickBooks tax help.</strong></p>
<p data-start="616" data-end="913">In this guide, we&rsquo;ll explore why QuickBooks shows old tax exemptions, the main causes behind this common QuickBooks tax problem, and provide step-by-step solutions for both QuickBooks Desktop and Online. You&rsquo;ll also find practical prevention tips to ensure your payroll runs smoothly every time.</p>
<h2 data-start="920" data-end="980"><strong>Common Causes of Old Tax Exemptions in QuickBooks Payroll</strong></h2>
<h3 data-start="982" data-end="1021"><strong>1. Unupdated Employee W-4 Forms</strong></h3>
<p data-start="1022" data-end="1211">QuickBooks relies on the information entered from employee W-4 forms. If an employee submits a new W-4 but it isn&rsquo;t updated in QuickBooks, the system continues to use previous exemptions.</p>
<p data-start="1213" data-end="1227"><strong data-start="1213" data-end="1225">Details:</strong></p>
<ul data-start="1228" data-end="1401">
<li data-start="1228" data-end="1302">
<p data-start="1230" data-end="1302">Employees may submit updates that HR or payroll staff forget to enter.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="1303" data-end="1401">
<p data-start="1305" data-end="1401">Manual entry errors can cause mismatches between IRS requirements and QuickBooks calculations.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 data-start="1408" data-end="1445"><strong>2. Outdated Payroll Tax Table</strong></h3>
<p data-start="1446" data-end="1615">QuickBooks calculates taxes using payroll tax tables. If the tax table is outdated, QuickBooks may fail to recognize updated exemptions and withhold incorrect amounts.</p>
<p data-start="1617" data-end="1631"><strong data-start="1617" data-end="1629">Details:</strong></p>
<ul data-start="1632" data-end="1781">
<li data-start="1632" data-end="1680">
<p data-start="1634" data-end="1680">Federal and state tax rates change annually.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="1681" data-end="1781">
<p data-start="1683" data-end="1781">Using an old tax table can lead to persistent QuickBooks tax problems and payroll discrepancies.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 data-start="1788" data-end="1823"><strong>3. Incorrect Employee Setup</strong></h3>
<p data-start="1824" data-end="1998">Improper employee profiles can cause QuickBooks to display old exemptions. Duplicate records or incorrect state/federal tax selections may override current W-4 information.</p>
<p data-start="2000" data-end="2014"><strong data-start="2000" data-end="2012">Details:</strong></p>
<ul data-start="2015" data-end="2152">
<li data-start="2015" data-end="2080">
<p data-start="2017" data-end="2080">Duplicate employees can occur during data imports or mergers.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="2081" data-end="2152">
<p data-start="2083" data-end="2152">Incorrect tax settings may automatically default to old exemptions.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 data-start="2159" data-end="2207"><strong>4. Cloud Sync Issues (QuickBooks Online)</strong></h3>
<p data-start="2208" data-end="2369">QuickBooks Online depends on cloud synchronization. Delays, browser caching, or changes made on multiple devices can prevent new exemption data from appearing.</p>
<p data-start="2371" data-end="2385"><strong data-start="2371" data-end="2383">Details:</strong></p>
<ul data-start="2386" data-end="2513">
<li data-start="2386" data-end="2452">
<p data-start="2388" data-end="2452">Updates made on mobile may not immediately reflect on desktop.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="2453" data-end="2513">
<p data-start="2455" data-end="2513">Cached data can show old exemptions until the next sync.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 data-start="2520" data-end="2559"><strong>5. Imported Payroll Data Errors</strong></h3>
<p data-start="2560" data-end="2755">If payroll data is imported from another software, QuickBooks may misinterpret exemption information. Missing fields in the import template can result in outdated exemptions showing in payroll.</p>
<p data-start="2757" data-end="2771"><strong data-start="2757" data-end="2769">Details:</strong></p>
<ul data-start="2772" data-end="2882">
<li data-start="2772" data-end="2822">
<p data-start="2774" data-end="2822">Imported data may not include all W-4 details.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="2823" data-end="2882">
<p data-start="2825" data-end="2882">Manual corrections are often necessary after migration.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 data-start="2889" data-end="2914"><strong>Step-by-Step Solutions</strong></h2>
<h3 data-start="2916" data-end="2938"><strong>QuickBooks Desktop</strong></h3>
<h4 data-start="2940" data-end="2979"><strong data-start="2945" data-end="2979">Update Employee Tax Exemptions</strong></h4>
<ol data-start="2980" data-end="3227">
<li data-start="2980" data-end="3057">
<p data-start="2983" data-end="3057">Open <strong data-start="2988" data-end="3010">QuickBooks Desktop</strong> &rarr; Go to <strong data-start="3019" data-end="3032">Employees</strong> &rarr; <strong data-start="3035" data-end="3054">Employee Center</strong>.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="3058" data-end="3108">
<p data-start="3061" data-end="3108">Select the employee &rarr; Click <strong data-start="3089" data-end="3105">Payroll Info</strong>.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="3109" data-end="3170">
<p data-start="3112" data-end="3170">Review <strong data-start="3119" data-end="3150">Federal &amp; State Tax Details</strong> &rarr; Click <strong data-start="3159" data-end="3167">Edit</strong>.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="3171" data-end="3227">
<p data-start="3174" data-end="3227">Enter updated W-4 exemptions &rarr; Click <strong data-start="3211" data-end="3217">OK</strong> &rarr; Save.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<h4 data-start="3229" data-end="3262"><strong data-start="3234" data-end="3262">Update Payroll Tax Table</strong></h4>
<ol data-start="3263" data-end="3461">
<li data-start="3263" data-end="3314">
<p data-start="3266" data-end="3314">Go to <strong data-start="3272" data-end="3285">Employees</strong> &rarr; <strong data-start="3288" data-end="3311">Get Payroll Updates</strong>.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="3315" data-end="3372">
<p data-start="3318" data-end="3372">Under <strong data-start="3324" data-end="3334">Update</strong>, select <strong data-start="3343" data-end="3369">Download Entire Update</strong>.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="3373" data-end="3461">
<p data-start="3376" data-end="3461">Restart QuickBooks and verify that payroll calculations reflect the new exemptions.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<h4 data-start="3463" data-end="3492"><strong data-start="3468" data-end="3492">Check Employee Setup</strong></h4>
<ol data-start="3493" data-end="3634">
<li data-start="3493" data-end="3560">
<p data-start="3496" data-end="3560">Open <strong data-start="3501" data-end="3520">Employee Center</strong> &rarr; Verify each employee&rsquo;s tax profile.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="3561" data-end="3634">
<p data-start="3564" data-end="3634">Remove duplicates and correct incorrect tax data &rarr; Save all changes.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<h3 data-start="3641" data-end="3662"><strong>QuickBooks Online</strong></h3>
<h4 data-start="3664" data-end="3697"><strong data-start="3669" data-end="3697">Update Employee Tax Info</strong></h4>
<ol data-start="3698" data-end="3881">
<li data-start="3698" data-end="3752">
<p data-start="3701" data-end="3752">Log in &rarr; Navigate to <strong data-start="3722" data-end="3733">Payroll</strong> &rarr; <strong data-start="3736" data-end="3749">Employees</strong>.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="3753" data-end="3816">
<p data-start="3756" data-end="3816">Select the employee &rarr; Click <strong data-start="3784" data-end="3801">Edit Employee</strong> &rarr; <strong data-start="3804" data-end="3813">Taxes</strong>.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="3817" data-end="3881">
<p data-start="3820" data-end="3881">Update W-4 exemptions and state withholding &rarr; Save changes.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<h4 data-start="3883" data-end="3909"><strong data-start="3888" data-end="3909">Sync Payroll Data</strong></h4>
<ol data-start="3910" data-end="4083">
<li data-start="3910" data-end="3952">
<p data-start="3913" data-end="3952">Clear browser cache and log in again.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="3953" data-end="4009">
<p data-start="3956" data-end="4009">Verify that updates appear in <strong data-start="3986" data-end="4006">Next Payroll Run</strong>.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="4010" data-end="4083">
<p data-start="4013" data-end="4083">If problems persist, call <strong data-start="4039" data-end="4058">+1-866-513-4656</strong> for expert assistance.</p>
</li>
</ol>
<h2 data-start="4090" data-end="4110"><strong>Prevention Tips&nbsp;</strong></h2>
<ul data-start="4112" data-end="4434">
<li data-start="4112" data-end="4172">
<p data-start="4114" data-end="4172">Update employee W-4 forms immediately upon submission.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="4173" data-end="4238">
<p data-start="4175" data-end="4238">Download and apply the latest payroll tax tables regularly.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="4239" data-end="4295">
<p data-start="4241" data-end="4295">Audit employee profiles periodically for accuracy.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="4296" data-end="4355">
<p data-start="4298" data-end="4355">Avoid duplicate employee records during data imports.</p>
</li>
<li data-start="4356" data-end="4434">
<p data-start="4358" data-end="4434">Ensure cloud sync completes before running payroll in QuickBooks Online.</p>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 data-start="4441" data-end="4477"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)</strong></h2>
<p data-start="4479" data-end="4709"><strong data-start="4479" data-end="4558">Q1: Why does QuickBooks still show old exemptions after updating W-4 forms?</strong><br data-start="4558" data-end="4561" /> A: This usually happens when the payroll tax table is outdated or QuickBooks cache has not refreshed. Update the tax table and restart QuickBooks.</p>
<p data-start="4711" data-end="4911"><strong data-start="4711" data-end="4765">Q2: Can outdated exemptions lead to IRS penalties?</strong><br data-start="4765" data-end="4768" /> A: Yes, incorrect withholding can result in underpayment or overpayment penalties. Correct exemptions immediately to avoid compliance issues.</p>
<p data-start="4913" data-end="5104"><strong data-start="4913" data-end="4971">Q3: How do I verify that employee tax info is correct?</strong><br data-start="4971" data-end="4974" /> A: In Desktop, go to <strong data-start="4995" data-end="5029">Employee Center &rarr; Payroll Info</strong>. In Online, navigate to <strong data-start="5054" data-end="5101">Payroll &rarr; Employees &rarr; Edit Employee &rarr; Taxes</strong>.</p>
<p data-start="5106" data-end="5277"><strong data-start="5106" data-end="5169">Q4: Does QuickBooks Online update exemptions automatically?</strong><br data-start="5169" data-end="5172" /> A: No, you must manually enter new W-4 information and ensure cloud sync completes before payroll runs.</p>
<p data-start="5279" data-end="5453"><strong data-start="5279" data-end="5352">Q5: Who can help if my QuickBooks payroll still shows old exemptions?</strong><br data-start="5352" data-end="5355" /> A: QuickBooks payroll specialists are available at <strong data-start="5406" data-end="5425">+1-866-513-4656</strong> for immediate assistance.</p>
<p data-start="5460" data-end="5768">Keeping your employee tax exemptions updated is essential to prevent QuickBooks errors, payroll discrepancies, and tax issues. Following these steps and prevention tips ensures smooth payroll processing and compliance. For urgent assistance with QuickBooks payroll issues, reach out at <strong data-start="5746" data-end="5765">+1-866-513-4656</strong>.</p>