Installing a new payroll tax table in QuickBooks Desktop is an important part of keeping employee payroll calculations current. The tax table contains updated rates and calculations for federal and supported state taxes, payroll forms, and certain e-file and e-pay functions. QuickBooks Desktop Payroll users need an active payroll subscription to download the latest tax table.
Learn how to complete a QuickBooks Payroll Tax Table Update and resolve common download or installation errors. Get guidance at +1(866)-513-4656.
If you're preparing payroll and notice that QuickBooks is using an older tax table, you can download the latest update directly from the Employees menu. The process is generally straightforward, but problems such as QuickBooks payroll update not working, firewall restrictions, or subscription issues can prevent the new table from downloading.
QuickBooks Desktop Payroll users can install the latest payroll tax table by opening Employees > Get Payroll Updates, selecting Download Entire Update, and then choosing Update. After installation, use Payroll Update Info to verify the tax table version.
A payroll tax table provides QuickBooks Desktop with the tax information it needs to calculate supported payroll taxes. It can include updated federal and state withholding information, payroll forms, and other payroll-related changes.
QuickBooks Desktop Payroll uses wage-bracket calculations for federal income tax withholding, while employee W-4 information, pay frequency, and gross wages also affect the calculation.
This is why simply having the latest QuickBooks Desktop software isn't enough. Your payroll tax table update also needs to be current.
Before starting the update, check a few things:
Your QuickBooks Desktop Payroll subscription is active.
Your computer has a stable internet connection.
QuickBooks Desktop is updated to an appropriate current release.
You have access to the company file that uses the payroll subscription.
You aren't in the middle of creating or processing payroll.
An active payroll subscription is required to download the latest Desktop payroll tax table.
Start QuickBooks Desktop and open the company file for which you want to update payroll.
If you manage multiple company files, make sure you're working in the correct file because payroll-service information is associated with the company and its payroll setup.
From the top menu, select:
Employees → Get Payroll Updates
QuickBooks will open the Get Payroll Updates window.
This is the primary location Intuit currently provides for checking and downloading the latest Desktop payroll tax table.
Suggested screenshot: Show the Employees menu with Get Payroll Updates highlighted.
Before downloading anything, look for:
You are using tax table version:
Write down the version number displayed there.
You can also select Payroll Update Info to view more information about your installed payroll update. Intuit recommends comparing the installed version with its current payroll news and update information.
This is useful because you may already have the latest tax table installed even if you haven't manually downloaded an update recently.
In the Get Payroll Updates window, select:
Download Entire Update
Then select Update.
QuickBooks will connect to the payroll service and download the available payroll update. When the download is complete, an informational message will appear.
Allow the process to finish before closing QuickBooks.
After the update finishes, return to:
Employees → Get Payroll Updates → Payroll Update Info
Check the tax table version again.
If the version has changed to the current release, the new payroll tax table has been installed.
As of September 22, 2026, Intuit lists Payroll Update 22616 as the latest payroll update. It includes new withholding tables and state unemployment-related changes.
AI Overview: To install a new payroll tax table in QuickBooks Desktop, open the company file, select Employees > Get Payroll Updates, check the current tax table version, select Download Entire Update, and then select Update. Afterward, open Payroll Update Info to verify the installed version.
Sometimes the installation doesn't go as expected. If your QuickBooks payroll update not working, don't repeatedly click Update without identifying the problem.
First check:
Go to:
Employees → My Payroll Service → Manage Service Key
Check that the payroll service shows the correct status and service key.
Intuit recommends checking the payroll subscription when PSXXX errors occur during payroll updates.
Close QuickBooks and right-click the QuickBooks Desktop icon.
Select:
Run as administrator → Yes
Then try downloading the payroll tax table again.
Intuit recommends administrator access as one troubleshooting step for certain 15XXX payroll update errors.
A firewall or security application may prevent QuickBooks from connecting to payroll-update servers.
If you receive a 15XXX error, Intuit identifies firewall restrictions as one possible cause.
Review your security settings and make sure QuickBooks is allowed to access the internet.
A failed update can produce different error codes depending on the underlying issue.
For example, Intuit currently identifies several 15XXX errors as potentially related to:
Missing payroll update components
Firewall settings
Damaged Windows files
Disabled QuickBooks File Copy Service
Problems verifying digital signatures
Shared Download drive configuration
Other errors, including PS032, PS033, PS036, PS101, and PS107, can involve incorrect internet settings, firewall restrictions, or damaged files in the CPS folder.
The exact error code matters, so record it before trying additional repairs.
If the payroll tax table refuses to install, QuickBooks Tool Hub can help with certain program-related problems.
Intuit currently recommends Quick Fix my Program for some payroll-update errors:
QuickBooks Tool Hub → Program Problems → Quick Fix my Program
The tool closes lingering QuickBooks background processes and performs a quick program repair. After it finishes, reopen QuickBooks and try downloading the payroll tax table again.
If the problem involves installation components, the Install Diagnostic Tool may also be appropriate.
If the QuickBooks payroll update stuck problem occurs during downloading or installation, avoid interrupting the process immediately.
First allow the update some time to complete. If it remains frozen, close QuickBooks and restart Windows.
Then try:
Open QuickBooks as administrator.
Verify the payroll subscription.
Check the internet connection.
Review firewall and antivirus settings.
Run Quick Fix my Program if appropriate.
Try downloading the tax table again.
If a specific PSXXX or 15XXX error appears, use that error code to determine the next troubleshooting step.
Not necessarily.
The tax table provides updated calculation information, but employee-specific payroll information still matters. Federal withholding calculations can depend on factors such as the employee's W-4 information, pay frequency, and gross wages.
You should therefore review employee information when an employee submits a new W-4 or when applicable state requirements change.
Also remember that some state unemployment information may require separate attention. Intuit specifically notes that the SUI rate isn't part of the normal QuickBooks Payroll tax table update and must be updated manually.
You should check for payroll updates whenever QuickBooks prompts you or when a new payroll update is released.
Payroll updates can occur during the year when tax rates, withholding tables, forms, or state requirements change.
For example, Intuit's September 22, 2026 release, Payroll Update 22616, included new withholding tables and state unemployment-related changes for supported jurisdictions.
Keeping track of the current payroll update number makes it easier to determine whether your QuickBooks Desktop installation is current.
Before processing payroll after a tax table release, review:
Payroll subscription is active.
QuickBooks Desktop is updated.
Latest payroll tax table is installed.
Tax table version has been verified.
Employee W-4 information is current.
Applicable state payroll information is correct.
SUI rate has been reviewed separately where required.
No payroll update error is displayed.
A recent company-file backup is available.
If you need assistance with a QuickBooks payroll tax table update, you can contact a QuickBooks specialist at +1(866)-513-4656.
Installing a new payroll tax table in QuickBooks Desktop is usually a straightforward process. Open the company file, go to Employees → Get Payroll Updates, check the existing version, select Download Entire Update, and then choose Update.
After installation, verify the new tax table version through Payroll Update Info. If the update doesn't download or install, check your payroll subscription, internet connection, administrator permissions, firewall settings, and any displayed PSXXX or 15XXX error.
Keeping both the QuickBooks Desktop application and its payroll tax table current can help ensure that supported payroll calculations use the latest available tax information. For additional assistance with payroll tax table updates, call +1(866)-513-4656.
Open your company file and select Employees → Get Payroll Updates. Choose Download Entire Update, then select Update. Afterward, check Payroll Update Info to verify the installed version.
Go to Employees → Get Payroll Updates and look next to You are using tax table version. You can also select Payroll Update Info for additional details.
Possible causes include an inactive payroll subscription, outdated QuickBooks release, internet problems, firewall restrictions, missing update components, or a specific payroll error such as PSXXX or 15XXX.
Check your payroll subscription and internet connection first. Then try running QuickBooks as administrator and review firewall settings. If the problem continues, QuickBooks Tool Hub's Quick Fix my Program may help with certain update problems.
No. Intuit states that QuickBooks Online Payroll tax tables are updated automatically. The manual Get Payroll Updates process applies to QuickBooks Desktop Payroll.
No. Intuit specifically states that the SUI rate isn't included in the normal QuickBooks Desktop Payroll tax table update and needs to be updated manually.