Missed The Single Touch Payroll Start Date?

All employers were required to register for Single Touch Payroll (STP) and commence reporting wages to the ATO by 30 September 2019. However, the ATO acknowledges that there are still many small employers who have not yet registered. There are three options if you are an employer and have not yet commenced STP.

Option 1 – Commence using STP. This may require an upgrade to your existing accounting software system
Option 2 – If a business is a micro employer with 1-4 employees, it can elect for a registered agent to lodge the STP report once a quarter.
Option 3 – Ask the ATO for more time and explain the circumstances of your business, such as location or inability to access online services.

Note that if a business only has closely held employees, it can automatically defer registration for STP until 1 July 2020.