What Intuit Payment is and who uses it

Intuit Payment is a payment processing service built into Intuit's accounting and invoicing software — mainly QuickBooks, but also some other Intuit products. If you use QuickBooks to send invoices to customers, you can let them pay you directly through that invoice using Intuit Payment, rather than asking them to write a check or transfer money separately.

The service is designed for small business owners, freelancers, and contractors who invoice clients. Your customer receives an invoice from you, clicks a payment button on it, and the money moves from their bank account or card to yours. Intuit handles the processing in the middle.

You do not have to use Intuit Payment if you use QuickBooks — it is optional. Some business owners prefer other payment processors, or they collect payment outside the invoicing system entirely. But if you want payment built into your invoices, Intuit Payment is the native option in QuickBooks.

Key Takeaways

  • Intuit Payment lets customers pay invoices directly from QuickBooks without leaving the invoice or contacting you separately.
  • Intuit charges a percentage of each transaction plus a small per-transaction fee; the exact rate depends on the payment method the customer uses and your QuickBooks plan.
  • Money from customer payments lands in your bank account, usually within one to two business days after the customer pays.
  • You control whether Intuit Payment is turned on for your account, and you can accept payments by card, bank transfer, or both.
  • Intuit Payment is separate from your QuickBooks subscription cost — you only pay fees when customers actually use it to pay.

How the payment process works from the customer's side

When you send an invoice through QuickBooks with Intuit Payment enabled, your customer sees a "Pay Now" button or link on the invoice. They click it, and a payment screen opens. They choose their payment method — credit card, debit card, or bank account transfer — enter their details, and confirm the payment.

The customer does not need a QuickBooks account or to create an account with Intuit. They are paying as a guest. The payment screen is hosted by Intuit, so the customer's financial information goes directly to Intuit's payment processor, not through your QuickBooks account.

Once the customer submits payment, they receive a confirmation. The payment status updates in your QuickBooks invoice automatically — you can see it marked as paid without having to manually record it.

Fees Intuit charges and how they affect what you receive

Intuit charges a fee for each payment processed through Intuit Payment. The fee structure varies by payment method and by your QuickBooks subscription level. As of now, card payments (credit and debit) typically cost around 2.2% to 2.9% of the transaction plus a per-transaction fee, while bank account transfers cost less — often around 1% plus a smaller per-transaction fee. These rates change periodically and may differ based on your plan, so you should check your QuickBooks account or Intuit's current pricing page for the exact rate you are being charged.

The fee is deducted from the payment before the money reaches your bank account. If a customer pays you $100 by card and the fee is 2.5%, you receive approximately $97.50. Intuit keeps the $2.50.

You do not pay a separate subscription fee for Intuit Payment itself — it is included with your QuickBooks subscription. You only pay when a customer actually uses it.

How long it takes for money to reach your bank account

After a customer pays, Intuit deposits the money into the bank account you have connected to your QuickBooks. This usually takes one to two business days. Weekends and holidays can extend this — a payment made on Friday evening might not land until Tuesday.

You can see the payment in your QuickBooks account when ready after the customer submits it, but the actual bank deposit takes that extra time. Intuit calls this the "settlement period."

If there is a problem with the payment — for example, the customer's card is declined or their bank rejects the transfer — you will see that in QuickBooks as well, and the invoice will not be marked as paid.

Setting up Intuit Payment in your QuickBooks account

To turn on Intuit Payment, you log into QuickBooks, go to the settings or account menu, and look for payment settings or payment methods. You will need to connect a bank account where deposits should land. Intuit verifies this account by depositing small test amounts and asking you to confirm them — this is a standard security step and takes a day or two.

Once your bank account is verified, you can choose which payment methods to accept: cards, bank transfers, or both. You can also set a minimum payment amount if you want — for example, you might not want to accept card payments under $10 because the fees would be too high.

After that, Intuit Payment is active. The next time you send an invoice, the "Pay Now" button will appear automatically if the customer's country and your settings support it.

When Intuit Payment might not be available

Intuit Payment is not available in all countries. If you or your customer is outside the United States, Canada, Australia, or a few other supported regions, the payment option may not appear on invoices. Intuit's supported countries list changes, so if you do not see the option, check your QuickBooks settings or Intuit's website to confirm your location is covered.

Some QuickBooks plans also have limited payment processing features. If you are on a very basic plan, you may need to upgrade to access Intuit Payment, or you may find that only certain payment methods are available to you.

You can also turn off Intuit Payment in your settings if you prefer to collect payment another way — through a separate payment processor, by check, or by direct transfer.

Intuit Payment versus other payment options

If you use QuickBooks, Intuit Payment is convenient because it is built in and requires no extra setup with another company. The invoice and payment are in one place, and the payment status syncs automatically.

However, other payment processors like Stripe, Square, or PayPal may offer different fee structures or features. Some charge lower percentages for certain payment methods. Some offer more detailed reporting or integration with other software you use. If you are comparing options, the main trade-off is usually convenience versus cost — Intuit Payment is simpler if you are already in QuickBooks, but it may not be the cheapest option for high-volume payments.

You can use multiple payment methods at once. For example, you might use Intuit Payment for invoiced customers and accept card payments in person through Square. There is no requirement to choose only one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a customer's payment fails?

If a card is declined or a bank transfer is rejected, the payment does not go through and the invoice stays unpaid in QuickBooks. You will see the failed payment in your account. You can contact the customer to ask them to try again with a different payment method, or you can send them a new invoice.

Can I refund a customer if they paid through Intuit Payment?

Yes. In QuickBooks, you can issue a refund, and the money goes back to the customer's original payment method. The refund process takes a few business days, similar to the initial deposit. You will still pay a small fee on the refund in most cases.

Do I have to use Intuit Payment if I use QuickBooks?

No. Intuit Payment is optional. You can turn it off in your settings and collect payment through other means — another payment processor, check, bank transfer, or cash. Your invoices will still work; they just will not have the "Pay Now" button.

Is my customer's payment information find?

Intuit Payment uses encryption and is PCI compliant, meaning it meets security standards for handling card data. Your customer's financial information does not pass through your QuickBooks account — it goes directly to Intuit's find payment processor.

Can I see a detailed breakdown of fees charged to me?

Yes. In QuickBooks, you can view your transaction history and see the fee deducted from each payment. You can also check your bank deposits to see the net amount received. If you want a full accounting of fees over time, you can export your transaction data from QuickBooks.