From 1st July 2019, Single Touch Payroll (STP) will apply to all employers regardless of the number of
employees they have on payroll. STP was previously introduced by the ATO from 1st July 2018 for businesses with 20 or more
employees,
however new recent legislation has now extended the requirement to apply to all employers with some exceptions for micro
and closely held employers.
STP is an ATO initiative encouraging employers to digitally report payroll more frequently. STP is changing the way employers report to the
ATO by providing a platform to report information such as Salary and Wages, Pay-As-You-Go Withholding and Superannuation information at the
time when your employee is paid.
How To Get Ready For STP
Employers yet to start reporting through STP will need to undertake a review of their payroll systems because STP reports are submitted
directly to the ATO through compliant payroll software (STP-enabled compliant software). When you start reporting through STP you will send
your employees payroll and superannuation information to the ATO from your payroll software each payday.
Your business will need to connect with the ATO either via your Auskey, which is a log-in for the ATO Business Portal or if you do not use
an AUSkey you can call the ATO to register your Payroll Software ID (SSID).
The ATO payment due dates for PAYG Withholding and Superannuation will not change with the introduction of STP.
For employers currently not using any payroll software, there is an option to use the new Xero payroll only plan that helps
businesses that employ up to four employees to embrace online payroll and STP. This new $10 monthly plan is ideal for those businesses who
do not feel ready to adopt a comprehensive online accounting software but want online payroll to comply with STP.
More info on the new Xero Payroll Only plan: https://www.xero.com/au/features-and-tools/accounting-software/payroll/payroll-single-touch-payroll/
Links To Payroll Business Software
Employers will be required to use software that will offer Single Touch Payroll reporting.
Here is a link to STP for various Payroll Business Software Packages available:
Link to STP payroll Xero
Link to STP payroll Reckon
Link to STP payroll MYOB
Want To Know More?
For More Information check out the:
ATO’s Single Touch Payroll Page - https://www.ato.gov.au/business/single-touch-payroll/about-single-touch-payroll/
Should you have any queries on Single Touch Payroll please do not hesitate to contact our office.
