The basic steps to disconnect a bank account

To remove a bank account from Gusto, log into your account, go to Settings, then 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 confirm, the account is disconnected from your Gusto workspace.

The process takes about one minute. You do not need to contact Gusto support unless something goes wrong during deletion — the self-service option works for most accounts. After removal, Gusto stops pulling information from that bank account, but your actual bank account itself remains open and unaffected.

Key Takeaways

  • Removing a bank account from Gusto happens in Settings > Bank Accounts and takes less than a minute.
  • Deleting the account from Gusto does not close your actual bank account or affect your money.
  • If you use that account for payroll deposits, you will need to add a different account or update your payroll setup before removing it.
  • Some accounts may require you to disconnect them from your bank's app first if Gusto shows a permission error during deletion.

Why you might need to remove an account

You may want to remove a bank account from Gusto for several reasons. You might be switching to a different bank, closing an account, or straightforward no longer using that account for business purposes. You could also be removing an account because you no longer need Gusto to access it, or because you are cleaning up old connections you no longer use.

Another common reason is that you are changing which account receives payroll deposits. If you set up a new business account and want Gusto to use that one instead, you will need to remove the old account and add the new one.

What happens to payroll if you remove the account

If the account you are removing is the one Gusto uses to deposit employee paychecks, you must set up a different account before you delete it. Gusto will not let you remove an account that is actively being used for payroll without first changing your payroll settings.

To change your payroll account, go to Payroll, then Settings, then Bank Account, and select a different account from the dropdown menu. Save the change, and then you can safely remove the old account from your bank account list.

Fixing permission errors during deletion

Sometimes Gusto shows an error when you try to delete an account, usually a message about permissions or connection issues. This often means your bank's app or your bank's website still has Gusto listed as a connected app with access to your account.

To fix this, log into your bank's website or app, go to the section for connected apps or third-party access (the exact name varies by bank — look for "Connected Services," "Authorized Apps," or "Third-Party Access"), find Gusto in the list, and disconnect it there. Then return to Gusto and try deleting the account again. This usually resolves the error.

Removing accounts you no longer use

If you have old accounts in Gusto that you stopped using months ago, removing them keeps your workspace clean and reduces confusion when you are setting up payroll or checking balances. You can remove as many accounts as you want — Gusto does not require you to keep a minimum number connected.

Before you remove an old account, check whether any active payroll, bill pay, or other features still depend on it. If you are unsure, you can always leave it connected without using it. Unused accounts do not cost anything or cause problems by sitting in your account list.

What to do if deletion fails

If you have tried to delete an account and Gusto keeps showing an error, the most common fix is disconnecting Gusto from your bank's app first (as described above). If that does not work, try logging out of Gusto completely, waiting a few minutes, and logging back in before attempting deletion again.

If the account still will not delete after those steps, contact Gusto support through the help menu in your account. Have the account number and the exact error message ready when you reach out. Support can usually remove the account on their end if something is stuck on Gusto's side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does removing an account from Gusto close my actual bank account?

No. Removing an account from Gusto only disconnects Gusto's access to that account. Your bank account stays open and your money stays there. You can reconnect the account to Gusto later if you want.

Can I remove an account if I have pending transactions?

Yes. Pending transactions do not prevent deletion. Gusto stops syncing new information once you remove the account, but transactions that already happened remain in your bank account and in Gusto's historical records.

What if I remove an account by mistake?

You can add it back by going to Bank Accounts and clicking "Add Account." You will need to log into your bank again to reconnect it. Gusto will restore your transaction history once the account is reconnected.

Do I need to tell my bank I am removing the account from Gusto?

No, but you do need to disconnect Gusto from your bank's app if you want to fully revoke its access. Removing it from Gusto alone leaves the connection active on your bank's side, which is why some deletions fail until you disconnect there first.