QBO Privacy

Intuit QBO/QBD/QuickBooks Payroll Privacy Policy Summary

Product Name

QuickBooks Online (QBO), QuickBooks Desktop (QBD), QuickBooks Payroll (including QB Payroll and Assisted Payroll)

Publisher/Service Provider Name

Intuit Inc.

Policy Document Names

• QuickBooks Payroll Data Processing Agreement (2023)
• QuickBooks Desktop and Payroll End User License Agreement (EULA, 2024)
• QuickBooks Online Terms of Service (TOS, 2023/2024)
• QBO TOS Summary (2023)

200-Word Summary of Privacy Policy

Intuit collects, uses, shares, and processes customer data through its QuickBooks Online, Desktop, and Payroll services. Intuit operates under a dual role as controller for account and product usage data and processor for customer-provided data, including payroll and time-tracking information. Data collected may include business information, employee details, tax data, usage behavior, and biometric data (e.g., facial recognition for time tracking).

When acting as a processor (e.g., processing payroll data), Intuit follows the customer’s instructions and complies with data protection laws, including CCPA, GDPR, and state-specific laws. Personal data may be shared with authorized subprocessors for service delivery, security, and customer support purposes, with restrictions ensuring their compliance.

Customer data is secured via technical and organizational measures, with specific guidelines for data retention and deletion. Intuit limits international transfers of payroll data and commits to informing customers of any security breaches. Users are responsible for obtaining consent when sharing employee or third-party data with Intuit. Data may be used by Intuit to improve services and products unless customers limit this use under applicable privacy laws.

Key Phrases from Privacy Policies Regarding Information Sharing with Others

• Subprocessors: Authorized third-party processors engaged for hosting, support, and functionality.
• Third-party services and integrations: Users may link accounts to third-party apps governed by independent terms.
• Marketing and product improvement: Intuit may use account and product usage data for product development and marketing purposes as controller.
• Employee and payroll data: Processed as per customer instruction, used only for delivering payroll services unless otherwise agreed.
• International transfers: Limited for payroll data; governed by Standard Contractual Clauses for EU/UK compliance.

Explicit Third Parties/Subprocessors Table

Name of Subprocessor	Purpose of Information Sharing	Kind of Information Shared	Opt-Out Options	Directions/Links for Opt-Out
Hosting & Cloud Service Providers (e.g., AWS)	Hosting data, maintaining service uptime	Customer data, including payroll and time-tracking data	No direct opt-out; integral for service delivery	Not specified individually; see Intuit Privacy Center
Customer Support Providers	Assist in technical and customer service interactions	Account and usage data	No direct opt-out; part of support infrastructure	https://security.intuit.com/privacy
Payroll Tax Agencies & Financial Institutions	Payroll tax filing, direct deposit, and payments	Employee names, wages, tax IDs, bank info	Not applicable for required tax filing	Managed through customer payroll settings
Third-party App Integrations (via QBO & QBD Apps)	Optional customer-authorized integrations (e.g., CRM, Time tracking)	Varies by integration, may include customer and employee data	Yes, by disconnecting third-party apps	Manage integrations within QuickBooks account
Equifax (for Income Verification via The Work Number)	Income and employment verification	Employee payroll and employment data	Yes, opt-out via "Company Preferences" in Payroll	Within QuickBooks Payroll settings

What Kind of Information Can Users Opt Out of Being Shared

• Marketing-related use of account and usage data — possible via Intuit Privacy Settings.
• Income and employment verification via Equifax — opt-out available.
• Optional third-party app data sharing — controllable through QuickBooks integrations settings.

Directions and Links for How to Opt Out of Information Sharing

• General Privacy Choices and Opt-Outs: https://www.intuit.com/privacy
• Income & Employment Verification Opt-Out: Uncheck "Income & Employment" under Company Preferences in Payroll.
• Third-party Apps and Integrations: Manage connected apps via QuickBooks Apps Center or integrations settings in QBO/QBD.
• Marketing Preferences: Customize in Intuit Account Settings under Privacy and Communications Preferences.