I understand how much work this on-going concern with the payroll report had caused you, @thebcdub.

This is a reported issue. Currently, our Product Engineers are working diligently on an investigation to determine the root cause of this error and released a permanent resolution.

In the meantime, you can run the report from the previous quarters. Then, when asked to update select "yes" and it is able to pull all the data correctly. If that does not work clean install of QB and Excel are possible fixes. Here's how:

1. Close QuickBooks.
2. On your computer, go to your C Drive. Then Program files (86x),
3. Find Intuit, then Quickbooks20xx,
4. Click Components and then Templates.
5. Find the QB_Payroll_Link.xlt and delete it.
6. Reopen QuickBooks and get a full payroll update.
7. After updating, try opening the report again.

Also, I'd recommend contacting our Technical Support team so your client will be added to the affected user's list. Once updates are available, you'd be notified through an email. Just make sure to provide your name, updated email, and the investigation number INV-49928. 

Here's how you can contact us:

1. Go to the Help menu.
2. Choose QuickBooks Desktop Help.
3. Click the Contact Us button.
4. Enter a short description of your concerns under the Ask a question field.
5. Click Continue.
6. Select how'd you like to contact us:
   •  Get a callback
   • Start a chat.

Thank you for your patience while we're working on this. If you have any other questions, feel free to comment below. Have a great day.