Employers with 20 or more employees

Your software provider may have applied to the ATO for a later start date for STP reporting which covers you as an existing client.

If you are covered by your software provider's deferral, you will need to start reporting on or before the deferral date. Your provider will give you this date and a deferral reference number (DRN). This verifies they have a deferral for you. You don't need to give this to us – just keep it for your own records.

If you're not able to start reporting by your software provider's deferral date, you will need to apply for your own deferral. To do this:

• log in to the Business Portal
• select Manage employees then STP deferrals and exemptions.

You need to provide supporting evidence to help us understand your circumstances through a portal mail message:

• select General questions / problems / help as the message topic
• enter Single Touch Payroll enquiries as the message subject.

If the ATO needs more information, they will let you know.

You can also ask your registered agent to lodge a request on your behalf.

Deferrals will be considered if you:

• are unable to get ready by your software provider's deferred start date
• are transitioning to a new STP-enabled solution
• are using customised payroll software and you need time to configure and test your updated product
• have complex payroll arrangements and need additional time to transition to STP
• have entered administration or liquidation
• have been impacted by a natural disaster
• are affected by other circumstances which are out of your control.

If you currently use payroll software which offers STP reporting, you can update your product and start reporting any time up to 30 September 2019.

If you know you won't be able to start before 30 September 2019, you or your registered agent can ask us for a deferral. To do this:

• log in to the Business Portal
• select Manage employees then clicking on STP deferrals and exemptions.

In many cases the ATO may approve your deferral straight away. If they need more information, they will let you know.

Your registered agent can also apply for a deferral on your behalf.

Source ATO