Setting up Payroll

 Author: KaraATO(Community Support)Community Support

3 Feb 2026

Hi @belliab,

You can set up payroll anytime during the financial year – no need to wait until the new financial year. Once you start paying wages through your business, the trust (as your employer) will need to:

• register for PAYG withholding
• withhold tax from your wages
• report payments through Single Touch Payroll (STP)
• pay superannuation for eligible employees.

If your circumstances change, you can vary your individual PAYG instalments. Since tax will now be withheld from your wages, you might need to lower your instalments. You can do this by logging into your ATO online account via myGov or through your tax agent. Be careful not to set instalments too low, as you could face interest charges if you owe tax later.

It might be best to speak with a registered tax agent. They can guide you through setting up payroll and adjusting your instalments.

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 Author: belliab(Initiate)Initiate

11 Feb 2026

Thank you for your response. Hoping you may be able to assist with the following

Where in the Trust Tax Return do we enter employee wages (what item numbers). I can work out where to enter superannuation expenses (Item 5 - Superannuation Expenses) but not employee wages?

Thanks

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