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What Is Single Touch Payroll (STP)? | Trinity Accounting Practice

Learn how STP works, what happens when you report, and how it affects new employees and activity statement reporting

What Is Single Touch Payroll (STP)?

Single Touch Payroll (STP) is a mandatory Australian Government system that requires employers to report payroll information to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) every time they process a pay run. This includes details such as:

  • Employee salaries and wages
  • Pay As You Go (PAYG) withholding
  • Superannuation contributions

STP helps simplify compliance and keeps employee tax and superannuation records up to date.

Key Features of Single Touch Payroll

Real-Time ATO Reporting

Employers must report payroll data through STP-enabled software every pay cycle, sending wage, tax, and super data directly to the ATO.

Mandatory for All Employers

  • From 1 July 2018, STP became mandatory for employers with 20 or more staff.
  • From 1 July 2019, all Australian businesses, regardless of size, were required to comply.

ATO Integration with myGov

Employees can access their tax and super information at any time via their ATO-linked myGov account, improving transparency.

End-of-Year Finalisation

Employers no longer need to issue PAYG payment summaries. Instead, they must finalise STP data at the end of the financial year, marking it as "tax ready" for employee returns.

Benefits of STP for Employers

✔️ Simplified Payroll Reporting

No need to manually submit annual payment summaries or separate PAYG reports.

✔️ Improved Accuracy

STP reduces errors by streamlining real-time reporting directly to the ATO.

✔️ Transparency for Employees

Workers can see year-to-date totals for income and super in their myGov accounts.

✔️ Government Services Integration

STP data supports government agencies like Services Australia, helping assess eligibility for benefits such as Family Tax Benefit and Child Care Subsidy.

How to Set Up and Comply with STP

1. Use STP-Enabled Software

Choose software like Xero, MYOB, or another ATO-approved payroll platform that supports STP reporting.

2. Register with the ATO

Notify the ATO when you begin using STP. If your software provider manages this step, confirm that the connection has been activated.

3. Train Your Payroll Staff

Ensure your bookkeeper or payroll officer understands the STP process, including submission deadlines and reconciliation procedures.

4. Start Reporting Each Pay Run

With systems in place, start lodging payroll data automatically through your software with each pay cycle.

Trinity Accounting Practice Can Help with STP

STP can be daunting — especially if you’re new to payroll or managing a growing team. That’s where we come in.

At Trinity Accounting Practice, we provide:

  • ✅ Full STP setup and registration
  • ✅ Xero payroll integration and training
  • ✅ Regular payroll processing and ATO reporting
  • ✅ End-of-year STP finalisation
  • ✅ Support for sole traders, small business, and construction companies

We make sure your business stays compliant, efficient, and stress-free.

Local Payroll Support You Can Trust

👉 Trinity Accounting Practice
✅ Accounting Firm in Beverly Hills
☎️ 02 9543 6804
📍 159 Stoney Creek Road Beverly Hills NSW 2209
🌐 www.trinitygroup.com.au
📅 Weekend & after-hours appointments available!
📅 Book online now: https://calendly.com/ramy-hanna

Frequently Asked Questions About STP

What is Single Touch Payroll in Australia?

STP is a government initiative that requires employers to report payroll data to the ATO every time they pay employees. It includes wages, PAYG, and super details.

Who needs to comply with STP?

All employers in Australia — including sole traders who employ staff — must comply with STP requirements.

Can I use Excel for STP reporting?

No. You must use ATO-compliant payroll software like Xero, MYOB, or QuickBooks that supports STP.

How do I finalise STP at year end?

Your payroll software will let you mark your STP report as “final” after reconciling wages, tax, and super. This replaces traditional payment summaries.

What if I missed an STP report?

You may need to lodge a correction in your next report. Repeated missed reports can result in ATO penalties.

Need Help with STP Setup or Lodgement?

Whether you're just starting out or looking to clean up your existing payroll system, our team is here to help.

Book your free consultation today and simplify your payroll reporting.

👉 Book Now

Contact Trinity Accounting Practice

👉 Trinity Accounting Practice
✅ Accounting Firm in Beverly Hills
☎️ 02 9543 6804
📍 159 Stoney Creek Road Beverly Hills NSW 2209
🌐 www.trinitygroup.com.au
📅 Weekend & after-hours appointments available!

📌 Learn more about what we offer:
https://www.trinitygroup.com.au/services

📌 Discover the industries we specialise in:
https://www.trinitygroup.com.au/niches

📌 Read more tax and accounting tips on our blog:
https://www.trinitygroup.com.au/explore-learn

Trinity Accounting Practice supports clients with ATO, ASIC, TPB, and ACNC compliance for tax, business, and non-profit sectors.

For more information about tax and compliance, please visit the official ATO website.