We have received reports from some of our customers that they are receiving phishing emails.  These emails request that users download an “Intuit Security Tool” in order to continue using QuickBooks.

Intuit did NOT send this email and will never contact you by email to request personal information or to update the security of our service. Please be on the lookout for any emails like this and report them immediately to spoof@intuit.com

Click here for more information.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,

Intuit Corporate Information Security
http://security.intuit.com/

UPDATE: Above also applies to the similar emails being sent out on 10/31/2011

QuickBooks Online Login Page – https://qbo.intuit.com
Ideally everyone should be using this as their QBO login page. If you are logging in from other pages, it is encouraged that you use this one instead. Google Chrome users can use that or better yet – the QuickBooks Online App shortcut from the Chrome Web Store  both are fine. Most common mobile device users (webkit browser based devices like Androids, iOS devices etc) should also go to this login URL, since it will automatically re-direct you to the mobile website. Otherwise you can go there directly via https://qbo.intuit.com/m

QuickBooks Online Support Page – https://support.qbo.intuit.com
While that is our support URL, it is still best to use it from within the product rather than clicking it directly from external sources such as this blog or your bookmarks. Use this as a starting point when needing help or if you want to read knowledge base articles.

This blog – http://blog.qbo.intuit.com
Well you are already here if you reading this blog post You should subscribe to this blog for news and announcements. Good place to comment on upcoming features too.

QuickBooks Online Forums – http://forums.qbo.intuit.com
If you want to start a discussion or ask generic questions to the community. This is a good place to search / ask for simple help from other QBO users. Account and login related issues or issues that require a 1-to-1 correspondance are better dealt via the support page above and not these forums.

Feature requests and feedback should be sent via the yellow feedback widget in product.
You can report bugs via the same feedback widget or post about it on the forums.

QuickBooks Online YouTube – http://www.youtube.com/user/QuickBooksOnline
Our youtube channel with product videos.

QuickBooks Online Accountant – https://qboa.intuit.com
The current URL for QuickBooks Online Accountant login. Currently this QBO product is in pilot stage so the URL may change in the future when the product is fully released.

Recommended Browsers for QuickBooks Online (what we developers would really want you to use)

• Google Chrome
• Firefox 10 or higher

QuickBooks Online is supported on the following browsers (what we officially support)

•  Windows
  • Google Chrome
  • Firefox 10 or higher
  • Internet Explorer 8 or higher (recommended version 9 or higher)
  • Safari 5 or higher (recommended version 5.1 or higher)
• Mac
  • Google Chrome
  • Firefox 10 or higher
  • Safari 4 or higher (recommended version 5.0.6 or higher)

PDF Plugins for Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari Users

Google Chrome doesn’t require a 3rd party PDF plugin since it has one inbuilt. However there are some issues with it and check printing http://support.qbo.intuit.com/support/answers.cfm?faq_id=4706.

• Windows - http://get.adobe.com/reader/
•  Mac - http://www.schubert-it.com/pluginpdf/

______________

Here is roughly what we mean when we say a browser is not supported

• Users will still be able to use QBO on the browser unless it is completely blocked out (eg: IE6 or below is blocked out, Firefox 3.5 or below is blocked out)
• We will not block the browser completely till its % usage is relatively low (eg: IE7 or Firefox 3.6 will be blocked off soon once their usage % is low enough)
• If the browser is not blocked then:
  • We are not actively testing QBO on that browser or developing for that browser
  • People will be ignoring or not filing new bugs against that browser unless they are deemed necessary for QBO to function
  • Any existing bugs specific to that browser will be de-prioritized and probably never fixed unless they are deemed necessary for QBO to function
  • Users can still call support if their issues happen irrespective of the kind of browser they use (eg: generic QBO/ accounting issues)
  • Newer features may not be available in an unsupported browser
    • This does not apply to people using modern browsers (Chrome / Firefox) on unsupported platforms like Linux or Chrome OS. Assuming you guys are keeping the browsers updated via the linux update manager or another way, you should get exact same QBO features as Chrome / Firefox on windows or mac.

For all browsers

If you are using Firefox 3.x OR Internet Explorer 7 (please read)

If you are using Internet Explorer 8

Firefox Mac users:

The first change is me, Norm Happ, QuickBooks Online Director of Sales & Services.  I took on the role of QuickBooks Online Sales & Services/Support in October after 3.5 years in other sales & support leadership roles within Intuit’s Small Business Division.   This is an exciting role for me, as QuickBooks Online is an incredibly vibrant area of growth within Intuit and we are playing an unique role in helping Small Business’ around the world save time and money.  Having been a two-time entrepreneur, I know the role a great financial management solution can play in the success of a company. Since taking on this role, I’ve been spending time trying to gain a deep understanding of the ways we currently support our customers.  We want to deliver the most effective solutions for customers as quickly as possible… so you can get back to work!

What did I find out?

In talking to customers, support agents, and analyzing our results; my team came to the realization that we have an expansive list of support tools for customers, many with varying levels of success. Just to give you a bit of background, one of the key ways we measure success in support is through our “resolution rate”.  This rate is defined by the question…were we able to solve your issue the first time and how long did it take you/us to reach resolution?  This resolution rate is important to us because we know time spent troubleshooting how to use the product takes you away from running your business. In reviewing the performance of our tools by the above measure, and in the spirit of keeping things simple; we determined the following methods as the two most effective ways to provide you support:

1. In-product self-help– if we can get the help to you where and when you need it, the solution is ideal.
2. Our second best solution is having a phone contact with our support agents.  They are trained in diagnosing customer issues and over 75% of the time, they solve the issue during the first customer contact.

What does this mean for you?

We decided to put our investments into these two capabilities and build upon their proven success rates.  Our initial investment includes:

• Adding Saturday support hours (9AM – 3PM Pacific Standard Time)
• Providing the most used “how-to” articles within the product exactly where you may need them

Because we chose to invest in these higher performing tools, we determined that we should shut down other tools that were underperforming. Our online support case submission tool (eCase) is one of these tools.  Customers and agents told us that the tool, although good in concept, created a lot of back-and-forth in trying to clarify the specifics of the problem.  The same issues were being solved 30% faster through a quick phone conversation with one of our support agents. We provide QuickBooks Online customers with free phone support because we want to ensure you’re successful using the product, love working with Intuit, could not imagine going back to the prior way you managed your business, and will be a customer for life.

We will be testing other support methods over the next few months to see if we can do an even better job of supporting you. I hope you see the benefits of these changes and we can help you get back to running your business quickly.  I encourage your comments or to email me directly with your feedback.

Cheers,

Norman Happ
Director – QuickBooks Online Sales & Support
norman_happ@intuit.com

If so, have you ever stopped to wonder how it all works?  Who these guys and gals are?  Where are they?  What drives someone to this line of work?  You might even be someone who asks “How do I become part of this team?”

This dedicated group of folks which I’m honored to be a part of is spread across the continental US in a mixture of on-site and remote employees.  Many of our sales associates work from the comfort of their home office.  So too do some of our Service consultants.  We also have teams located at our contact centers in Tucson AZ, Denver CO, Reno NV and Fredericksburg VA, and some partner associates who assist us in times of great need.  All-in-all there are about 200 folks in QuickBooks Online that are either directly or indirectly supporting you in using or buying our products.  In addition there are partnering support functions for add-on services like Merchant account and Payroll and those organizations have similar size and structure.

Under normal circumstances, our QuickBooks Online folks process some 25,000 or so of your support and product information and sales requests per month.  During certain times of the year, this number can swell to almost twice as many!

To service your requests well takes not only the folks you talk, chat or email with but it takes an entire supporting cast.

To name but a few, we have:

• An operations team who forecast how many contacts we’ll get and therefore how much staff we’ll need and when they need to be scheduled
• A superb knowledge content team to keep not only our in-product and web help up-to-date but also the help resources and email content our agents use
• A crack training team to ensure our agents know not only the nuances of our QuickBooks Online product but also what other Intuit businesses are doing
• A tools and infrastructure team that designs and maintains all of the tools used to handle and keep track of your requests
• A management team to ensure we are doing the right things to create a truly great customer experience

Back to the folks you know and love…  Our agents!

Much of my time is spent with our agents.  In my not so humble and frankly biased opinion, there is not a finer bunch of folks anywhere.  Our Service and Sales teams get it.  They know your time is valuable and running a business is not easy.  They are totally committed to helping you and your business succeed.  Our gals and guys are constantly making suggestions for improvements in process and product on your behalf and working to raise their knowledge level to give you better answers quicker.

Why do we do it?  Beside the whole pay and benefits thing, we do it because we feel good when we are able to make a positive difference for you.  We do it because we like solving puzzles.  We do it for those times when we hear from you our customer, how we saved you time, money or perhaps your sanity.

Do we always get it right?  Sadly no.  As with anything, there is always opportunity to do better.  But I know you’d be hard-pressed to find a more committed, smart, spirited, real and honest group always seeking to learn from our missteps and make the next interaction even better.  Calls answered quickly — often in 30 seconds or less.  The correct/best answer or solution the first time you call.  You having a product and service you can count on and trust.   Wash rinse and repeat around 25,000 times a month.

Think you have what it takes to be a part of a team like ours?  Check out intuitcareers.com to see what positions we have open.

Best regards and thanks for being a QuickBooks Online customer!

Dave Rich

Service and Sales Manager QuickBooks Online

In addition, you should know that this event involves our core QuickBooks Online Service & Sales team, not our Payroll service team.  We do not have reduced Payroll staff over the next two days.

Thanks for the understanding and for the many inspiring responses to this post!

—

We will have reduced support hours and staff Wed 9/29 though Fri 10/1. Some members of our team will be available but our staffing will be greatly reduced. If you need to contact us, please plan to do so by Friday 9/24 or after Monday 10/4 if at all possible.

Do you know how long our Online version of QuickBooks has been around? How about how long we’ve had remote service consultants supporting the business? Can you believe it’s been 10 years!?

That’s right, in September of 2001, QuickBooks Online began a journey supporting the QuickBooks Online business with US based service consultants working remotely from home. Warp speed 10 years later, and we are now a team of 150 people working passionately every day to bring you the best support possible. And even today about half of our staff continues to work remotely…

But there is a back story. Even though our remote consultants have been helping QuickBooks Online customers  for years and are a big part of our extended team and success… many of them have never met their co-workers in person.

So we are having an event for all our long time Sales & Service employees to meet face to face, celebrate all that we’ve become and chart the next 10 years together as we continue to drive for being the best we can be for you today & tomorrow. Here’s to your success today and in the future.

Thanks for your understanding during these couple of days.

Check out this short video that will help you get comfortable with QuickBooks Online, let us know what you think!

Believe it or not, it’s time to think about one of the two inevitable things in life – taxes! This can be a stressful time, particularly for small owner-run businesses.

We had posted a great summary of tax “Dos” and “Don’ts” for home-based businesses a while back on one of our web sites. It was so worthwhile that I thought it would be worth reposting here. So, here you go!

Your Home Office: Tax Matters
By Betsy Dee, Small Business Owner

The Home Office Deduction: It’s Okay to Take It. Really.
In 1999, Congress clarified the rules on this once controversial deduction and now allows more taxpayers to take it. But if you’re going to do business out of your home, get to know the rules with our Official Do’s and Don’ts List for Your Home Office.

Your home office deduction is allowed if the space you’re claiming is used exclusively for an office or to store inventory.

DO make it strictly business
Be sure you’re using the space as the principal place of business for meeting clients or customers and/or business administration.

DON’T use it for leisure
Your home office cannot be used for anything other than business purposes (this includes watching television, sleeping, helping your kids with homework on the computer–even paying personal bills online, if you can believe it).

DO take the related deductions you’re entitled to
Take a portion of your rent or mortgage interest, property taxes, utilities and repairs as part of your home office deduction. The deductible portion is based on the square footage of the area used for business as a percentage of the total square footage of the home.

DO claim your eligible deductions in more than one schedule
Take the part of the mortgage interest and property taxes that aren’t deducted as home office expenses as part of your itemized deductions on your Schedule A.

DON’T take the deduction if you pay the ATM
If you generally have to pay the Alternative Minimum Tax (ATM) when you itemize deductions, look carefully at how a home office deduction could alter your AMT status. (You may want to forego the home office deduction.)

DO your homework on capital gains tax
If you include home depreciation as part of the home office deduction, if you sell your home at a profit, you’ll have to pay a capital gains tax on the total amount of depreciation deductions you took while you were living there. (The good news: This tax does NOT apply to any other deductions you took.)

Corporations, Partnerships and multi-member LLCs
Individual owners of S corporations, partnerships and multi-member LLCs can take a deduction for home office expenses if they qualify.

DO know what you’re entitled to claim–and where
Claim the deductions for your home office on your personal return if you’re a shareholder and your home office is your only business office. Form 8829 is used to calculate the deductible amount. List it as a “Miscellaneous Itemized Deduction” on your Schedule A.

DO know the law
By definition, real estate earnings and losses are considered “passive” investments unless you are “actively” and materially involved in the investment.

So if you’re an S corporation, you may be able pay rent to a shareholder for use of a home office. The income and expense would then be treated as rental activity and entered on Schedule E of Form 1040. If the shareholder is active in the S corporation, the activity is considered non-passive and is not subject to passive loss limitations.

DON’T worry. Help is out there
For more information about Passive Activities, visit the TurboTax Support website.

This was  a guest post by Laura Messerschmitt, Product Manager for Intuit QuickBooks, desktop. Like it? Read more here!

Here is a sneak peek at the new page!   We understand that change can be disruptive, but we’ve worked hard to make sure this one is an improvement.  These changes will allow us to make the service faster, more secure, and provide more features in the future.



So, how does this affect me?

1. Your login page will have a new address along with the fresh new look. Please bookmark it so you can get back to it easily.

2. By the way, you are going to have to allow for pop-ups for our site again. This should be easy and the Help will walk you through it.

What if I need help?

We’re committed to making this change as easy as possible for you and anticipate that you will be able to go through this process seamlessly. Nonetheless, if for some reason you have a question, we are only a click away!  You can access support directly from the login page or from our Support site at www.quickbooksonline.com.

Look for the unveiling of the new login page soon!

About me:  I’m Kathy from QBO Support, and when I’m not helping our customers I just might be driving that Mustang that passed you this morning.

1. Login to QuickBooks Online and click Help
2. Select the type of question
3. Click Ask Qubie
4. Click Chat with Qubie
5. Enter your question and hit ‘Enter’ or simply click on an FAQ

Voila!  Instant answers to your burning financial management questions without picking up the phone or sending an email!

Now, we recently re-launched Ask Qubie with the help of a new vendor so there may be times when he doesn’t have an answer or can’t understand your question, but fear not, over time he will learn.  We are constantly monitoring the questions he receives (and the responses to those questions) in order to fine tune his ability to meet your needs the first time around.

Given time, we are confident that our newly improved Ask Qubie can become your “go-to guy” for QuickBooks Online related support.  The next time you’ve got a question, give Ask Qubie a shot and let us know how he did!