Single Touch Payroll update

A limited release of ‘Single Touch Payroll’ began for a small number of digital service providers and their clients on 1 July 2017, with Single Touch Payroll operating with limited functionality for a select number of employers.

Single Touch Payroll will effectively require some employers to report information regarding payments to employees (or to their super funds)in ‘real time’, via their payroll software.

The following timeline sets out what is happening in the lead-up to the mandatory commencement of Single Touch Payroll next year.

September 2017 – the ATO will write to all employers with 20 or more employees to inform them of their reporting obligations under Single Touch Payroll.

1 April 2018 – employers will need to do a headcount of the number of employees they have, to determine if they need to report through Single Touch Payroll.

From 1 July 2018 – Single Touch Payroll reporting will be mandatory for employers with 20 or more employees.