STP Frequently Asked Questions

     

  • Is the STP data transmission secure?

    • All STP data that you submit to the ATO via Ready Pay is encrypted throughout the process.
    This secure process is controlled using the ATO’s Operational Framework (OF), which is an implementation methodology to mandate the security for all STP data-flows from end-to-end.
    Ready Pay has OF certification (from the ATO) which certifies security and privacy.

     

  • What do I need to report through STP?

    • Ready Pay payroll already takes care of this process for you so all reportable information contained in the Ready Pay database is reported.
    Further information and general guidance on the types of payments, lump sums, allowances and deductions that are reported through STP is available here:
    single-touch-payroll-phase-2-employer-reporting-guidelines


  • What if I make a mistake in my STP report?

    • Fixing payrun mistakes is straightforward in Ready Pay under STP.
    If you correct the mistake in the following payrun, then you don’t need to do anything as the updated YTD figures will be submitted via the pay event (PE) for that payrun.

    If you correct the mistake via a separate off-cycle adjustment run and the employee is continuing employment with the company, then the updated YTD figures will automatically be reported via the following pay event (PE) that includes that employee.
    If the employee has ceased employment with the company, then you should submit the updated YTD figures via a separate pay event (PE) for the adjustment pay or via an update event (UE) for the affected employees.

    You can also refer to: single-touch-payroll-employer-reporting-guidelines

     

  • Do I need to submit a pay event after every pay?

    • For your ‘on-cycle’ payruns, the answer is Yes, you must submit your pay event (PE) report to the ATO on or before the date the employee was paid, (effectively when you generate the EFT payment.
    For off-cycle pays that contain fixes or adjustments to a previously reported STP pay event, then you can submit on the following on-cycle pay event.

     

  • What if there is a problem with the ATO system receiving the STP submissions?

    • The ATO system has a message queue so that all STP information that has been successfully lodged, but not yet processed, will resume when it comes back up.
    During the period that the ATO system is down, STP submissions are rejected and will return an “unsuccessful upload” message which means that the employer will need to try that upload again.

     

  • Do I still need to produce ATO payment summaries for my employees?

    • Making a finalisation declaration when uploading an STP event, declares that you have provided all required information for the financial year through your Single Touch Payroll reporting.

    The process to create ATO payment summaries is no longer supported in Ready Pay.
    This is known as an income statement in myGov.
    You may also elect to provide your employees with an Income Summary during the EOFY process in Ready Pay.

     

  • What if some employees don’t have a myGov account?

    • Employees can request income summary details from the ATO.

    Find out more about STP for employees and myGov here:

    https://www.ato.gov.au/Business/Single-Touch-Payroll/Single-Touch-Payroll-for-employees/

     

  • How do I make a Finalisation Declaration?

    • You make a finalisation declaration by providing a finalisation indicator for an employee (including directors, contractors, and so on) as part of your Single Touch Payroll reporting.
    This will usually be done as an update event at the end of financial year but may also be done throughout the year for specific terminated employees via a pay event.

    Here is the ATO’s guidance on finalising your STP reporting:

    end-of-year-finalisation-through-stp

     

    Return to Intro to Single Touch Payroll