Correct way to correct an STP lodgement

Question

Hi everyone.  Im sure this has been asked numerous times but I haven't been able to find the answer.

What is the correct way to correct a STP lodgment?

the STP came back with an Error message, so I fixed the error and resubmitted the STP which was successful.  Should the resubmission file be treated as an updated event event though it was unsuccessful?  When I did my bas there was duplicate entries for this payroll so I needed to update W1 & W2.

Acctd4 · Answer

Hi @ShelleyG

An STP Update Event or a Full File Replacement are for already-successfully-submitted files that you want to report change(s) to - If you received an error, the file was never submitted so there wouldn't be an original for you to select to update/replace.

The ATO's STP prefill at W1 & W2 is still fairly basic & - unlike your Reckon STP file submissions - the prefill is NOT live/updated in real time !

It also only "fetches" a period once so is unable to reflect any subsequent changes.

Therefore, it's not unusual to have to manually edit the figures that auto-display there.  … So much so, that the ATO even added a prompt, advising of it ! :

Do not bother clicking on that STP reporting link referenced there either !  That section of the ATO portal has never been fully developed & is basically useless 🙄    At best, it may reflect a submission (sometimes) but it's unable to display any breakdown details & again - is NOT current !

Your STP submissions list within your Reckon portal is the most accurate submissions record so always compare what's successfully submitted there, against your payroll data.

As Rav mentioned, STP simply UPDATES YTD BALANCES each submission, rather than reporting each pay.  Therefore, if you accidentally duplicate a submission , it will have no impact as the YTD balances will remain unchanged.

💡💡If you are submitting for ongoing employees, the next submission that includes them will automatic update their current YTD balances anyway, corrections throughout the FY for existing employees, aren't too essential 😊

ShelleyG · Answer

I think I resubmitted it as a new pay event as it wasnt a successful submission.

Rav · Answer

Hi @ShelleyG

What was the error message that appeared for that prior submission?

An update event is used when you need to make corrections to the employee pay run balances that have been sent in the previous submission. Lets say for example, if you've mis-entered an employee's pay or missed adding a pay item etc and need to make a correction for it.

When it comes to the W1 & W2 prefill, it uses the EMPLOYER data sent in the submission which is a total of that individual pay run as opposed to the YTD balance which EMPLOYEE balances are reported with. Update events do not alter, change or overwrite employer data so it won't impact the prefill.

There's more info on this here which provides more detail -

#TipTuesday - What's in an STP submission? 💻