Plan (discounted 1st year) renews on 5th Jan & I want to downgrade to Simple Start. Will they refund me if I wait to downgrade until after renewal?

Thank you for bringing this up here in the Community space, Catherine. I'll provide the details about downgrading the current QuickBooks Online (QBO) subscription.

Since you're in a discounted plan, it is advisable to continue using it until the renewal date before considering a downgrade. After that, you'll want to contact our Customer Care Team to check if you're eligible for a refund after proceeding with the renewal. I'll outline the steps to get you going: 

1. Access your QuickBooks Online company.
2. On the top right corner, click (?) Help.
3. Select Contact Us, then select a topic to connect with the right expert.
4. choose your preferred way to connect.

For more details, check out this page: Get help with QuickBooks products and services.

Moreover, I recommend checking this page to help you handle QBO subscription: Manage billing, payment, and subscription info in QuickBooks.

If you have any other questions regarding QuickBooks, I am always available to provide answers and the necessary information. Additionally, feel free to submit any inquiries if you require assistance managing your company subscription. I'm always ready to assist. Take care.