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Lodge an STP earnings reset event to fix incorrectly reported business/employee settings on Payroll classic

Available for the following plans: Employment Lite, Employment Plus, Employment Unlimited
Available for the following Payroll plans: Standard, Premium

How it works

The earnings reset event lets businesses lodge a $0 earnings event via STP for all employees who have been reported with incorrect business/employee details. This allows you to effectively “reset” what has been reported to the ATO for the employees back to $0 without affecting any actual pay run data.

Once the earnings reset event has been successfully lodged, you just need to correct the business/employee details and start reporting again as normal. This article will show how to rectify earnings already lodged via STP that have incorrectly reported details.

What you need to do

Lodging an earnings reset event
  1. Log in to the Payroll classic platform.
  2. Click the  Reports menu.
  3. Under ATO Reporting, click Single Touch Payroll.
  4. Click the Create update event button.
  5. Click the Create earnings reset event button.


    Important

    If you can click the Create Update Event dropdown but cannot click the Create Earnings Reset Event button, this means you haven't lodged any successful events for that financial year. This means you should not and cannot create an earnings reset event.

  6. A pop-up will appear explaining exactly what the purpose of this event is.

  7. Click the Continue button to acknowledge the consequences of lodging an earnings reset event.

    Helpful Hint

    Click Cancel to return to the Single Touch Payroll screen.

  8. Adjust the following filters:
    • Financial year.
    • Employing Entity.
    • Employees.

    Important

    Click the What do the filters in 'Create reset event' mean? tab in Further information at the end of this article to learn more about these filters.

    We have not included a pay schedule filter in the above modal because more often than not, the changes required are not pay schedule specific.

  9. Click the Create Button.
  10. Your screen will show you something like this (example only):


    Important

    All earnings are set to $0, and this will be reported to the ATO once lodged. You cannot edit the RFBA column because all earnings, including previously reported RFBA, need to be "wiped out."

    Please see Further information at the end of this article to:

    • Understand the Earnings reset event table in this example 
    • Learn when an employee will be marked as Is Final
    • See what the Actions button can do
    • Learn why there are no Excel reports within Download
  11. This event type will undergo a validation process.

    Important

    If there are any validation issues, you will see a “Warnings” tab on the event screen. As with any event type, you will need to rectify these issues before you can lodge the event. A list of all validation warnings and fixes can be found here.

  12. Click the Lodge with ATO button once everything is ready to be lodged and you have received the appropriate authorisation (if you are lodging as a registered agent).


    Helpful Hint

    The lodgement process is the same as per every other event type. If you are unsure of the process, refer to the “Lodging a Pay Event” section of this article.

  13. Once the event is successfully lodged, you can rectify the business/employee issues and re-lodge the actual employee earnings with the ATO.
Scenario 1: Events lodged where the employee was assigned to the incorrect employing entity

Important

You must:

  • Only correct the issues AFTER the earnings reset event is successfully lodged.
  • Create and lodge the update event immediately after you have corrected the issues.
  1. Log in to the Payroll classic platform.
  2. Create an earnings reset event and add the affected employees to the event.

    Helpful Hint

    Click the Lodging an earnings reset event tab in this article to see how to create the event.

  3. Lodge the earnings reset event and make sure it is successful.

    Helpful Hint

    If your lodgement fails, refer to our troubleshooting guide to resolve the issue.

  4. Click the  Employee menu.
  5. Click the List submenu.
  6. Click the name of the affected employee.
  7. Under Employee Settings, click Tax File Declaration.
  8. Under Employing entity, click the Change button.
  9. Under New Employing Entity, select the correct option.
  10. Under As Of, select the correct effective date that the employing entity is to apply from. You can choose:
    • Today
    • Employee's Start Date
    • Custom Date

    Helpful Hint

    It will either be effective from the employee’s start date or a custom date. If you select Today, this will not ‘backdate’ the employing entity change.

  11. Click the Change Employing Entity button.


    Important

    Repeat Steps 4 to 11 for each affected employee.

    You can bulk update employee employing entities via the Employing Entities screen (Reassign Employing Entities tab) by following these instructions. Do not bulk update employee employing entities using the employee file import. This will only make the updated employing entity effective from the date you import the file and will not fix the issue.

  12. Depending on your situation, either:
    • Create and lodge an update event for the correct employing entity. Or;
    • Amend a finalisation event if you have already completed a finalisation event for that employing entity.

    Helpful Hint

    Refer to these articles to learn how to:

  13. The event should contain the affected employee's actual YTD earnings, which will be reported under the correct employing entity.
  14. If an employee was employed under different entities within the year, there will be a separate line showing YTD earnings for each entity. It will look like this:
  15. Once the event is lodged successfully, you are done.
Scenario 2: Events lodged where the incorrect ABN was applied to the employee’s employing entity

Important

You must:

  • Only correct the issues AFTER the earnings reset event is successfully lodged.
  • Create and lodge the update event immediately after you have corrected the issues.
  1. Log in to the Payroll classic platform.
  2. Create an earnings reset event and add the affected employees to the event.

    Helpful Hint

    Click the Lodging an earnings reset event tab in this article to see how to create the event.

  3. Lodge the earnings reset event and make sure it is successful.

    Helpful Hint

    If your lodgement fails, refer to our troubleshooting guide to resolve the issue.

  4. Click the  Business menu.
  5. Click the Payroll Settings submenu.
  6. Under Business Settings, click Details.
  7. Under ABN, enter the correct business number.
  8. Click the Save button.

    Helpful Hint

    To correct the ABN of an employing entity:
    • Under Business Settings, click Employing Entities.
    • Click the name of the employing entity.
    • Under ABN, enter the correct business number.
    • Click the Save button.
  9. Click the  Business menu.
  10. Click the Payroll Settings submenu.
  11. Under Business Settings, click Employing Entities.
  12. Select the affected employing entity.
  13. Under ABN, check if the new ABN is listed.
  14. Check if Electronic Lodgement is enabled.

    Important

    If Electronic Lodgement is not enabled:

    • Under Electronic Lodgement, click the Enable Electronic Lodgement button.
  15. Complete the connection with the ATO. Either:
  16. After making sure the integration is successful, depending on your situation, either:
    • Create and lodge an update event for the correct employing entity. Or;
    • Amend a finalisation event if you have already completed a finalisation event for that employing entity.

    Helpful Hint

    Refer to these articles to learn how to:

    The event should contain the affected employee's actual YTD earnings, which will be reported with the correct ABN for the employing entity.
  17. Once the event is lodged successfully, you are done.

    Important

    If the update event is blank or you receive an error message from the ATO, refer to the What do I do if the update event is blank or I receive an error message from the ATO? section of this article.

Scenario 3: Events lodged where the incorrect branch number or no branch number was assigned to the employee’s employing entity

Important

You must:

  • Only correct the issues AFTER the earnings reset event is successfully lodged.
  • Create and lodge the update event immediately after you have corrected the issues.

Please see the Do all business entities get designated branch numbers? tab in Further information at the end of this article to learn more.

  1. Log in to the Payroll classic platform.
  2. Create an earnings reset event and add the affected employees to the event.

    Helpful Hint

    Click the Lodging an earnings reset event tab in this article to see how to create the event.

  3. Lodge the earnings reset event and make sure it is successful.

    Helpful Hint

    If your lodgement fails, refer to our troubleshooting guide to resolve the issue.

  4. Click the  Business menu.
  5. Click the Payroll Settings submenu.
  6. Under Business Settings, click ATO Settings.
  7. Click the ATO Settings tab.
  8. Under Branch Number, input the correct 3-digit number.
  9. Click the Save button.

    Helpful Hint

    To correct the branch number of an employing entity:

    • Under Business Settings, click Employing Entities.
    • Click the name of the employing entity.
    • Under Branch Number, enter the correct 3-digit number.
    • Click the Save button.
  10. Depending on your situation, either:
    • Create and lodge an update event for the correct employing entity. Or;
    • Amend a finalisation event if you have already completed a finalisation event for that employing entity.

    Helpful Hint

    Refer to these articles to learn how to:

    The event should contain the affected employee's actual YTD earnings, which will be reported under the correct employing entity branch number.
  11. Once the event is lodged successfully, you are done.
Scenario 4: Events lodged where the incorrect BMS ID was used for an employing entity

Important

You must:

  • Only correct the issues AFTER the earnings reset event is successfully lodged.
  • Create and lodge the update event immediately after you have corrected the issues.

Please see the When does an incorrect BMS ID cause problems? tab in Further information at the end of this article to learn more.

  1. Log in to the Payroll classic platform.
  2. Create an earnings reset event and add the affected employees to the event.

    Helpful Hint

    Click the Lodging an earnings reset event tab in this article to see how to create the event.

  3. Lodge the earnings reset event and make sure it is successful.

    Helpful Hint

    If your lodgement fails, refer to our troubleshooting guide to resolve the issue.

  4. Click the  Business menu.
  5. Click the Payroll Settings submenu.
  6. Under Business Settings, click ATO Settings.
  7. Click the Electronic Lodgement & STP tab.
  8. Click the I want to use my previous payroll software's BMS ID box.
  9. Type the word "continue".
  10. Click the Confirm button.
  11. The BMS ID field below I want to use my previous payroll software's BMS ID will be updated.
  12. Click the Change button.
  13. Input your previous payroll platform's BMS ID.
  14. Click the Save button.

    Helpful Hint

    To correct the BMS ID of an employing entity:
    • Under Business Settings, click Employing Entities.
    • Click the name of the employing entity.
    • Under BMS ID, click the I want to use my previous payroll software's BMS ID box.
    • Type the word "continue".
    • Click the Confirm button.
    • The BMS ID field will be updated.
    • Click the Change button.
    • Input your previous payroll platform's BMS ID.
    • Click the Save button.
  15. If the issue you encountered is:
    • ONLY related to BMS ID, proceed to the next step (Step 16). Or;
    • Related to BMS ID AND STP Payroll ID, do steps 4 to 11 in the Scenario 5: Events lodged where the incorrect STP Payroll ID was used for an employee tab first.
  16. Depending on your situation, either:
    • Create and lodge an update event for the correct employing entity. Or;
    • Amend a finalisation event if you have already completed a finalisation event for that employing entity.

    Helpful Hint

    Refer to these articles to learn how to:

    The event should contain the affected employee's actual YTD earnings. It will be combined with the data from your previous payroll software into one employee record.
  17. Once the event is lodged successfully, you are done.
Scenario 5: Events lodged where the incorrect STP Payroll ID was used for an employee

Important

You must:

  • Only correct the issues AFTER the earnings reset event is successfully lodged.
  • Create and lodge the update event immediately after you have corrected the issues.

Please see the When does an incorrect STP Payroll ID cause problems? tab in Further information at the end of this article to learn more.

  1. Log in to the Payroll classic platform.
  2. Create an earnings reset event and add the affected employees to the event.

    Helpful Hint

    Click the Lodging an earnings reset event tab in this article to see how to create the event.

  3. Lodge the earnings reset event and make sure it is successful.

    Helpful Hint

    If your lodgement fails, refer to our troubleshooting guide to resolve the issue.

  4. Click the  Employee menu.
  5. Click the List submenu.
  6. Click the name of the affected employee.
  7. Under Employee Settings, click Opening Balances.
  8. Click the STP tab.
  9. Click the Change button beside the STP Payroll ID field.

    Important

    If there is no Change button beside the STP Payroll ID field, it means:

    • The BMS ID for the employing entity of the affected employee has not been changed. Or;
    • The I want to use my previous payroll software’s BMS ID checkbox is ticked, but the BMS ID has not been changed.
    To fix this, refer to the Scenario 4: Events lodged where the incorrect BMS ID was used for an employing entity tab.
  10. Update the employee's STP Payroll ID.

    Important

    The STP Payroll ID must be unique for the employee. No people in the company should share the same ID.

  11. Click the Save button.

    Helpful Hint

    To bulk update STP Payroll IDs for multiple employees:

    • In the organisation's dashboard, click the Employees tab.
    • Click the Add Employee dropdown button.
    • Click Export Employees.
    • Choose the correct Data type and File format.
    • Click the Download button.
    • Edit the STP Payroll IDs of the employees under the PayrollId column.
    • Save the changes to your drive.
    • In the Export Employees screen, click the Import button.
    • Click the Select file button.
    • Choose the file you edited.
    • Click the Confirm upload? button.
  12. If the issue you are currently fixing is:
    • ONLY related to STP Payroll ID, proceed to the next step (Step 13). Or;
    • Related to BMS ID AND STP Payroll ID, do Steps 4 to 14 in the Scenario 4: Events lodged where the incorrect BMS ID was used for an employing entity tab first.
  13. Depending on your situation, either:
    • Create and lodge an update event for the correct employing entity. Or;
    • Amend a finalisation event if you have already completed a finalisation event for that employing entity.

    Helpful Hint

    Refer to these articles to learn how to:

    The event should contain the affected employee's actual YTD earnings. It will be combined with the data from your previous payroll software into one employee record.
  14. Once the event is lodged successfully, you are done.
Scenario 6: Events lodged incorrectly after an employee's employing entity was retrospectively changed during the financial year

Important

The correct employing entity must have already been created in your platform before you add your employee to it.

  1. Log in to the Payroll classic platform.
  2. Click the  Employee menu.
  3. Click the List submenu.
  4. Click the name of the affected employee.
  5. Under Employee Settings, click Tax File Declaration.
  6. Under Employing entity, click the Change button.
  7. Select the initial business entity under New Employing Entity.
  8. Under As Of, choose the original date the employee was assigned to that entity.
  9. Click the Change Employing Entity button.
  10. Create an earnings reset event and add the affected employees to the event.

    Helpful Hint

    Click the Lodging an earnings reset event tab in this article to see how to create the event.

  11. Lodge the earnings reset event and make sure it is successful.

    Helpful Hint

    If your lodgement fails, refer to our troubleshooting guide to resolve the issue.

  12. Click the  Employee menu.
  13. Click the List submenu.
  14. Click the name of the affected employee.
  15. Under Employee Settings, click Tax File Declaration.
  16. Under Employing entity, click the Change button.
  17. Select the current business entity under New Employing Entity.
  18. Under As Of, choose the date when the employee started under that new entity.
  19. Click the Change Employing Entity button.
  20. Depending on your situation, either:
    • Create and lodge an update event for the correct employing entity. Or;
    • Amend a finalisation event if you have already completed a finalisation event for that employing entity.

    Helpful Hint

    Refer to these articles to learn how to:

    The event should contain the affected employee's actual YTD earnings. It will be combined with the data from your previous payroll software into one employee record.
  21. Once the event is lodged successfully, you are done.
How do I reverse an earnings reset event that I lodged in error with the ATO?

To reverse an event lodged in error with the ATO, you simply need to lodge an update event for the pay schedule the employee is attached to. Please refer to this article: Processing a Single Touch Payroll (STP) update event | Payroll Web Platform.

This will report the employee’s actual earnings processed via pay runs and/or from opening balances, where applicable.   

What do I do if the update event is blank or I receive an error message from the ATO?

You may find the update event blank or receive an error message from the ATO saying your submission was not processed because you have not reported using STP for that financial year. 

This means no pay events have been lodged under that ABN/branch code before, so you cannot skip straight to lodging an update event. The solution will depend on the status of your pay runs/events:

Not every pay run/event in the account has been lodged
  1. Lodge any unlodged pay event.

    Helpful Hint

    It does not matter what pay period it is for, as long as it is in the relevant financial year.

  2. Proceed with your Finalisation process for the financial year.

    Helpful Hint

    The finalisation event will pick up each employee's current YTD totals. It replaces the need to lodge an Update event after lodging an out-of-sequence pay run.

Every pay run/event in the account has been lodged
  1. Create a new pay schedule.

    Helpful Hint

    EYou can call it "EOFY Fix" or something similar. The reason for this is if a pay schedule has been finalised and you try to create a new pay run on that schedule, it will be blank in the pay event.

  2. Create an ad hoc pay run using the new pay schedule with a pay period and paid date in the relevant financial year.
  3. Use the Manually add employees option.
  4. Add one employee who you have been lodging via STP through the year.
  5. Add an earnings line for 1c.

    Helpful Hint

    Add a note at the bottom of the employee's pay run record to leave an audit trail that this is an adjustment pay run created to correct an STP lodgement issue only.

  6. Finalise the pay run, then lodge.
  7. Once it is successfully lodged, you can proceed with your Finalisation process for the financial year.

Further information

What do the filters in 'Create reset event' mean?
Financial Year This will default to the current FY. Only financial years where successful STP events have been lodged will appear in the dropdown list.
Employing Entity

This filter will only appear if you have more than one employing entity set up in the business. If you do, the default employing entity will appear, i.e. the entity set up in the business’ Details screen.

You can select a different employing entity or select All (i.e. all employing entities) by clicking on the dropdown list.

Please note that only employing entities that have been reported in the chosen financial year will appear in the dropdown.

Employees

You can select specific employees by clicking on the dropdown list and searching for the employees. Otherwise, leaving the field as is (i.e. ‘All’) will bring up ALL employees of the chosen employing entity or, if there are no employing entities set up in the business, ALL employees in the business.

ALL = active employees who have been previously reported in events for that financial year.

If you need to include an employee who is terminated, you will need to re-activate them first.

When is an employee ‌marked as "Is Final"?

An employee will be marked as Is Final when:

  • An employee is included in an earnings reset event created post-lodgement of a finalisation event
  • An employee is included in an earnings reset event created post-lodgement of an amended finalisation event
  • An employee terminated in a pay run (and the associated pay event was lodged) is included in a subsequent earnings reset event
What does the Actions button do?

The Actions button includes the following:

Mark all as Is Final This allows you to bulk mark all employees as Is final.
Mark all as Not Final This will appear if all employees are marked as Is final and allows you to bulk mark all employees as not final.
Add Employee Use this function to add other employees to the earnings reset event.
Request Client Authority

This will appear if the business is using a registered tax/BAS agent to lodge events. Like any event type, you will need to obtain authorisation from your client before proceeding with lodging this event.

You can assign one or more STP event approvers to the list, then add a note to indicate the purpose of this earnings reset event.

Users added to the list will be notified via email that there is an event waiting to be actioned.

Why are there are no Excel reports under Download?
We have not included the Excel reports within Download for this event type as there are no earnings to report/reconcile against.
Do all business entities get designated branch numbers?

Not all business entities have branch numbers by default. Organisations only have one when it suits their structural, management, and accounting arrangements. The ATO provides businesses with branch numbers, which you can see via the ATO Portal. You can also contact the ATO to know what branch number to use.

If the value in your Number field is '11111111111/003':

  • '11111111111' is your ABN.
  • '003' is your branch number.

If the value after your ABN is '/001', this means you do not have a designated branch number. You can leave the “Branch Number” fields in your entity settings blank. If you have already put 001, you do not need to remove it.

When does an incorrect BMS ID cause problems?

This scenario should only pose a problem for businesses transferring over from a previous payroll platform during the financial year. There are many transition options available when moving payroll systems regarding the continuation of STP reporting.

An incorrect BMS ID has likely caused duplicate records or overstated earnings being reported to the ATO and in the employee’s myGov account.

When does an incorrect STP Payroll ID cause problems?

This scenario should only pose a problem to businesses transferring over from a previous payroll platform during the financial year. There are a lot of transition options available when moving payroll systems regarding the continuation of STP reporting.

An incorrect STP Payroll ID has likely caused duplicate records or overstated earnings being reported to the ATO and in the employee’s myGov account.

By default, thie Payroll classic platform uses the employee’s Employee ID as displayed on the employee’s Details screen. This can be changed for transferring businesses, but only after the BMS ID has been changed.

Explore related content

You have now lodged an STP earnings reset event. If you are wondering what to do next, you can read the following articles:

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