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STP can you export a whole quarter to the ATO?

Louise_8770786

Are you able to lodge quarterly statments? Or do you have to lodge each payroll schedule seperately?

Comments

Kris_Williams

Today, for a client, I lodged the STP file from the last pay in Sept only. She had not lodged any since July. Just to be sure I printed the wages report for the quarter and checked the figures against the file I lodged. (Just to be sure). As the export process transfers YTD figures it was all I had to do, but I have told her they are supposed to be lodged weekly. Mind you to be able to lodge it quarterly would be a godsend with some clients

Acctd4

Hi Kris

Are you a BAS Agent?

There is of course the usual compliance/eligibility criteria, but there are a number of “Concessional Reporting” deferral options available - specifically quarterly lodgements - for particular entities including “Micro” Employers (those with no more than 4 Employees) & those who employ only Seasonally/Intermittently.

(Note that for Micro Employers, the option for quarterly submissions is ONLY available when lodged via a BAS or Tax Agent, not if being lodged directly by the entity themselves):

https://www.ato.gov.au/business/single-touch-payroll/concessional-reporting/

In the case of quarterly reporting you’re quite right – As STP lodgements are YTD, only the last pay run for the quarter needs to be lodged.

However, it can be useful “practice” for the client to lodge each pay run for the 3-month period to get familiar with the process.

Having said that, for the most part I try to encourage the majority of clients to get on board with lodging via STP each Pay Run now simply because it’s really just delaying the inevitable.

These deferrals/concessions are only available during the transitional period (until 30 June 2021 or in some cases until 30 June 2022) so they are going to be in this exact same position then - Far better to start now during the transitional phase (whilst the ATO is lenient & understanding) than have last-minute panic trying to configure it & resolve issues once it’s mandatory & penalties apply!

Shaz Hughes Dip(Fin) ACQ NSW, MICB

Reckon Accredited Professional Partner Bookkeeper / Registered BAS Agent (No: 92314 015)

(Specialising EXCLUSIVELY in Reckon Accounts / Reckon Accounts Hosted)

Accounted 4 Bookkeeping Services

Ballajura, WA

0422 886 003

shazinoz2@bigpond.com

www.accounted4bs.com

Kris_Williams

Hi Shaz, I agree with you and I am trying to get my clients to lodge weekly but as you know some struggle. I was a BAS agent until a few years ago but now waiting for all my clients to retire so I can too . Thanks for the info

glendaveale

Kris, if you are no longer a BAS agent, what work do you do for your clients. My registration will end early next year.

Kris_Williams

I still do bookkeeping and assisting them with their files and BAS. Not much has changed

glendaveale

Thought you could not do BAS activities if you are not registered.

Kris_Williams

I don’t, the clients do, I just check their files for some and correct errors and do the bookkeeping for others

Kris_Williams

The stupidity of it is that the little junior in the office with no real knowledge or experience, but gets paid wages by the company is allowed to do BAS activities, and people like me with 50 years experience are liable to getting fined because I’m a sub contractor

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glendaveale

Exactly what I thought Kevin. Was trying to work out how she could continue when not registered. When my registration ends in February I will be retiring. Unable to renew as I don’t work enough hours now.

Kevin Russell

Correct Glenda. The regulations are there for a very good reason. I remember the bad old days when anyone could do the work.

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Louise_8770786

Hi Kevin, I still get errors when loading my stp so far I've only had one successfully go through the rest are coming up as an error, as nothing has changed except the payrun its getting very confusing - is this an ATO problem or a Reckon software problem?
Isn't it about time Reckon improves their phone support which we pay for so as we don't have to keep repeating ourselves to get understood? How do we take this issue up to someone who will listen and ideas?

Kris_Williams

That’s why I am now a bookkeeper, recording transactions and advising clients of their errors

Kevin Russell

Once again Kris, I refer you to the TASA and the regulations. Recording transactions may constitute a BAS service. And of course anything connected with payroll will be a BAS service.

Kevin Russell

Call me Lou 0407744914

Kris_Williams

Ok thanks for that I’ll check it out

Kevin Russell

You should already have checked it out. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Are you a member of ICB?