Remove the account through Gusto's settings, then notify your payroll processor
To remove a bank account from Gusto, log into your account, go to Settings, select Bank Accounts, find the account you want to remove, and click the trash or delete icon next to it. Gusto will ask you to confirm the deletion. Once you remove it, that account can no longer receive payroll deposits or process payments through Gusto.
If you're removing the account because you're switching banks or closing it, tell your payroll processor or HR team at the same time. If employees have paychecks scheduled to deposit into that account, those deposits will fail unless you add a replacement account before the pay run processes.
The account removal is immediate in Gusto's system, but any pending transactions tied to that account may still process depending on when they were initiated. Check your bank to confirm no further charges or deposits occur after you delete it from Gusto.
Key Takeaways
- Removing a bank account from Gusto takes seconds through Settings, but you must confirm the deletion.
- Payroll deposits scheduled for a deleted account will fail, so add a replacement account or pause payroll before the next pay run.
- Pending transactions may still process even after you remove the account, so monitor your bank for a few days.
- If you're removing the account because it's compromised or fraudulent, contact your bank immediately and report the issue to Gusto support.
What happens to scheduled payroll when you delete an account
If you remove a bank account that has an active payroll deposit scheduled, that deposit will not go through. Employees expecting money on payday will not receive it, and you'll need to rerun payroll to a different account or issue manual payments.
To avoid this, add a new bank account to Gusto before you delete the old one. Then update the default deposit account in your payroll settings so future pay runs use the correct bank. If payroll has already been processed for the next pay period, contact Gusto support to see if they can redirect the deposit before it attempts to post.
Removing an account due to fraud or security concerns
If you're removing the account because it's been compromised, fraudulent, or you suspect unauthorized access, call your bank immediately to freeze or close the account. Do not wait until after you remove it from Gusto.
Then remove the account from Gusto and contact Gusto support to report the issue. Gusto can flag the account in their system and help you review any transactions that went through it. Your bank will also investigate any unauthorized charges and may reverse them depending on when they occurred and your account agreement.
How to add a replacement bank account before deleting the old one
Open Gusto and go to Settings > Bank Accounts. Click Add Bank Account and follow the prompts to connect your new bank. Gusto will verify the account by depositing two small test amounts (usually under $1 each) into the new account. You'll need to confirm those amounts in Gusto within a few days to complete verification.
Once the new account is verified and set as your default, you can safely delete the old account. Make sure payroll is not scheduled to process to the old account before you remove it.
What to do if you cannot delete an account
If Gusto won't let you delete an account, it's usually because a transaction is still pending or the account is set as the default for payroll or bill payments. Check whether any payroll deposits or vendor payments are scheduled for that account in the coming days.
If transactions are pending, wait for them to clear, then try deleting again. If the account is set as default, change the default to a different account first, then delete. If you still cannot remove it after checking both, contact Gusto support with your account number and the name of the bank account you're trying to remove.
Removing an account you no longer use but are keeping open
If you're removing an account from Gusto but keeping it open at your bank, the deletion only affects Gusto. Your bank account itself remains active and untouched. You can reconnect it to Gusto later if you need to.
This is useful if you want to stop using a particular account for payroll or payments but don't want to close it yet. Just remember that removing it from Gusto means Gusto cannot send money to or from that account anymore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does removing a bank account from Gusto close the account at my bank?
No. Removing it from Gusto only disconnects it from your Gusto account. Your bank account stays open and active. If you want to close the account, you must contact your bank directly.
Can I remove an account if payroll is scheduled to deposit into it tomorrow?
You can remove it, but the deposit will fail and employees won't get paid. Add a new account and update your payroll settings before the pay run processes, or contact Gusto support to see if they can redirect the deposit in time.
What if I deleted an account by mistake?
You can reconnect it to Gusto by going to Settings > Bank Accounts and clicking Add Bank Account again. You'll need to verify it with the two test deposits, which takes a few days. Contact Gusto support if you need help speeding up the process.
Will transactions still go through after I remove the account?
Transactions already in progress may still post to the account for a day or two. Monitor your bank to confirm no further activity occurs. If you see unexpected charges after removal, contact your bank and Gusto support.