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PlotJ(Newbie)Newbie
10 July 2024

Dear ATO.

How free is "free"? Because as of the 10th of July 2024, "free" doesn't appear to exist in your list of "free" STP reporting software for a micro business with 4 employees.

You allow SBSCH and BAS to be lodged for free as others have stated.

I have been through your list of 11 "free" STP product vendors and pretty much all of them are NOT free for anything more than 2 employees. One company helpfully offers free STP for zero employees...(I'm still trying to understand that one)

I can see how STP streamlines reporting of payroll information for the ATO but it seems almost punitive for micro and small businesses.

Can we do this ourselves? Although we are not tax agents, we are a group of engineers so we can figure things out.

Many thanks!

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PayrollDeanne(Taxicorn)Taxicorn
10 July 2024

Hiya @PlotJ 👋


Yes, both the SBSCH and BAS are payment and data mechanisms. STP2 is a report.


I'm not going to disagree with the frustrations and exacerbation that you must feel with this method of digital message exchange and the "false" advertising. Those issues are real and I've heard them from many.


One of the things as an Associate Payroll Practitioner that I have often wondered about is the price for business software. Can you help me to understand why you pay a price for the accounting software but you don't want to pay for payroll software?


The Fair Work and LSL requirements are incredibly complex. Records must be kept for time, leave and pay records for 7 years. Some items have to be averaged over years. How do you meet all of those and know that you've complied with all of the many interdependent employment obligations if not via payroll software?


I'm genuinely interested, as I don't understand why you'd pay for accounting but not for payroll.


Deanne

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Most helpful reply

PayrollDeanne(Taxicorn)Taxicorn
10 July 2024

Hiya @PlotJ 👋


Yes, both the SBSCH and BAS are payment and data mechanisms. STP2 is a report.


I'm not going to disagree with the frustrations and exacerbation that you must feel with this method of digital message exchange and the "false" advertising. Those issues are real and I've heard them from many.


One of the things as an Associate Payroll Practitioner that I have often wondered about is the price for business software. Can you help me to understand why you pay a price for the accounting software but you don't want to pay for payroll software?


The Fair Work and LSL requirements are incredibly complex. Records must be kept for time, leave and pay records for 7 years. Some items have to be averaged over years. How do you meet all of those and know that you've complied with all of the many interdependent employment obligations if not via payroll software?


I'm genuinely interested, as I don't understand why you'd pay for accounting but not for payroll.


Deanne

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