Step-by-Step Guide to Activate Payroll in QuickBooks Online Step 1: Sign in to Your QuickBooks Online Account To start, log into your QuickBooks Online account where you plan to activate payroll. You will need to be the administrator or have the necessary permissions to enable payroll features. Open QuickBooks Online: Navigate to QuickBooks Online and click the Sign In button in the upper-right corner. Enter Your Credentials: Type in your email address and password associated with your QuickBooks account, and click Sign In. Access the Dashboard: After logging in, you’ll be directed to your QuickBooks Online dashboard.