Must I Upgrade QuickBooks Each Year?

Question: I googled and searched for QuickBooks support. They told me that I have to upgrade to QuickBooks Premier 2020 even though I am in QuickBooks Premier 2019. Is that true?

Answer: I get many calls about this. Internet searches for QuickBooks support can connect you with non-QuickBooks entities whose business it is to sell QuickBooks products. You likely were not talking to QuickBooks support and very likely speaking with one of these sales entities.

QuickBooks Premier is a desktop software, meaning that you own it and have it housed on your computer or your server. When you buy QuickBooks Premier, you receive software updates at no additional charge for three years.

You own QuickBooks Premier 2019. You will receive updates at no additional charge until May 31, 2022. Similarly, QuickBooks Premier 2020 will be updated through May 31, 2023, and so on.

Distributors have reported that they were told they had to buy Premier every year, and the person who told them that would be happy to sell it to them. The software releases of Premier do not vary that much—a few new features each year—not enough to make purchasing each year necessary or even cost effective.

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