Single Touch Payroll reporting – we’re ready when you are!

MichellePV
18 Posts
Former Staff
Former Staff

18Posts

0Kudos

0Solutions

If you have 20 or more employees, you need to start reporting payroll information using Single Touch Payroll this year.

 

MYOB AccountRight 2018.2 is now STP ready. As soon as you’re ready, you can set up Single Touch Payroll reporting. Don’t stress if you’re not quite ready, if you’re using AccountRight 2018.2 you have until 31 December 2018 to start reporting.

 

Connect to the ATO – report your payroll information in real-time

 

To start reporting your payroll information to the ATO, you need to complete all steps in the connect to ATO process.

 

Anyone who will be processing payroll must go through the connect to ATO steps. Agents – you should get your clients to connect before doing it yourself. Each person must log in and do the connection steps using their own login details. You can't go through these steps on behalf of someone else.

 

Go to the Payroll command centre, click Payroll Reporting and then click Connect to ATO.

Connect to the ATOConnect to the ATO

The connection steps have a lot of help alongside them, so make sure you read the instructions before diving in (everyone reads the instructions first, right?). You can also read this first, to get an idea of what you might need before you start, Task 2 - Connect to the ATO for Single Touch Payroll reporting.

 

Reporting doesn't officially start until July 1

 

As soon as you connect to the ATO, reports will be sent to the ATO each time you process payroll. However, reporting doesn't officially start until 1 July. By starting now, you can ensure these reports are correct before this date. We recommend connecting to the ATO as soon as you can.

 

We know EOFY can be a stressful time. If you need a bit more time, don't worry, we've got you covered. Check your inbox for an email from us explaining deferral dates and numbers.

 

You will still need to prepare payment summaries for EOFY 2017/18, even if you start reporting now.

 

Taxable gross reduced behind the scenes, no need to map tax-free deductions to gross payments

At EOFY, you’re used to reducing the taxable gross amount when preparing payment summaries by assigning the relevant payroll category (for example, salary sacrifice) to gross payments. This was how the gross salary was reduced to the taxable gross. You only need to do this manual step when preparing payment summaries.

 

When you’re reporting using Single Touch Payroll, gross is reduced automatically for deductions that are marked as a before-tax deduction. It doesn’t matter what ATO category this deduction is assigned to, even Not reportable ATO categories reduce the taxable gross amount that’s reported to the ATO.

 

To check if a deduction has been marked as tax exempt, or to mark it as tax exempt:

 

  1. Open the payroll category.
  2. Click Exempt.
  3. Make sure PAYG Withholding is selected.
  4. Click OK.

New online payroll reporting centre

Once Single Touch Payroll is set up, you’ll be able to view the online payroll reporting centre. Go to the Payroll command centre > Payroll Reporting . Here you’ll be able to:

 

  • See all reports (pay runs) and their statuses
  • View report errors with guidance on how to resolve them
  • Send unsent reports
  • Get your Software ID (if required)

Payroll reporting centre in AccountRightPayroll reporting centre in AccountRight

Processing payroll is the same as always (almost)

The big question is what does the new process payroll flow look like? The answer is, it pretty much looks the same as it did before. Apart from a few small tweaks.

 

There’s a new info box

This lets you know Single Touch Payroll reporting is turned on.

 

New payroll reporting info boxNew payroll reporting info box

There’s a declaration you have to make

Just like any other info you send to the ATO, you do need to declare the information you are sending is true and correct.

Declaration during pay runDeclaration during pay run

There are going to be lots of improvements happening in the next few months, so watch this space and happy payroll reporting!

 

 

 

 

 

3 Comments
doublet
Trusted Cover User
120 Posts
Trusted Cover User

You say that we have until 31 December to start reporting... I only have two employees, me and hubby, and we don't use the payroll in AccountRight - we have accountright standard - I thought this meant that we don't need to worry about STP at all (or not until a year or so down the track) - is this not correct?

 

thanks

Teresa

Steven_M
45,180 Posts
Former Staff

Hi @doublet

 

This AccountRight Blog Article is targeted at those clients that are required to comply with the new Single Touch Payroll requirements or employers that had 20 or more employees as of 1st April this year (2018).

 

If you have 19 or less employees you are not required to comply to next year (subject to legislation being passed).

MichellePV
18 Posts
Former Staff

Right you are @doublet, this is for employers with 20 or more employees only! Sorry for the panic. I was just so excited that AccountRight is ready that I forgot the most important information! I've added a note to the start of the post, thanks again for the pickup!