Single Touch Payroll
From key dates to the latest on STP Phase 2 reporting, ensure your business is compliant with the ATO.
What is Single Touch Payroll?
Single Touch Payroll (STP) is an Australian Taxation Office (ATO) compliance regulation that requires employers to send payroll information, such as gross salary and wages, PAYG (tax amounts withheld), and superannuation liability, to the ATO at the same time as their standard pay run. To stay compliant, employers must use STP-enabled payroll systems to meet their payroll reporting obligations.

STP Phase 2 Reporting
STP Phase 2 is built on existing STP reporting (Phase 1), requiring employers to provide more detailed payroll data and employment information to the ATO for each pay event. This measure was introduced on 1 Jan 2022.
This update also allows government agencies, such as Services Australia, to access more streamlined payroll reporting data, reducing duplicate reporting across agencies.
STP Phase 2 will involve the capture of the following new fields:
- employment basis
- paid leave
- allowances
- overtime
- cessation details
- salary sacrifice
- lump sums
- country codes
You will also be required to separately itemise the components which make up the gross amount including bonuses, directors fees, paid leave, salary sacrifice, overtime and allowances.
For further information, head to our STP Phase 2 Hub
What does STP mean for employers?
Traditionally employers lodged their payroll information via paper or manual submission once a year to the ATO by the 14 July deadline.
Under Single Touch Payroll (STP) reporting requirements, employers send payroll information to the ATO at the same time as they pay their employees typically weekly, fortnightly or monthly via their payroll software. This means pay runs and payroll compliance are combined into one process. Single Touch Payroll Phase 2 reporting requirements sees your business build on its current STP reporting to provide additional information to the ATO whenever you process a pay run.


Single Touch Payroll key dates
1 January 2022: STP reporting phase 2 begins.
1 July 2021: Employers with only closely held employees or non-business employers, such as carers holding a Withholding Payer Number (WPN), need to start STP reporting.
1 July 2019: Single Touch Payroll became mandatory for ALL employers. With special rules for STP micro employers.
1 July 2018: Single Touch Payroll became mandatory on for employers with 20 or more employees only.
Frequently asked questions
What benefits does STP provide for employers?
Single Touch Payroll reporting provides a number of benefits to employers by integrating payroll reporting directly into each pay run.
Employers send payroll data to the ATO each pay cycle rather than once a year, improving the accuracy of payroll information, reporting, and records.
Other benefits include:
- Reduced manual reporting and payroll errors.
- Elimination of individual payment summary annual reports due to real-time income statement reporting
- Pre-filling of PAYG withholding amounts in BAS reporting (linked to your accounting software)
With STP-enabled software, you can accurately record payroll information and report STP data to the ATO each time you process payroll come pay day. Start STP reporting your employees’ wages today with Reckon Payroll Software!
What are the STP employee benefits?
Your employee benefits for using STP-enabled payroll software are:
- Real-time access to year-to-date tax payments and contributions via MyGov (superannuation, income, and tax).
- Your payroll information is pre-filled in your tax return for the financial year, making it easier and quicker to complete, as you won’t need to wait for a payment summary from your employer. They report it during the year via their STP reports.
- Electronic commencement forms including a pre-filled Tax File Number Declaration and SuperChoice form makes starting a new job easier.
What is a closely held employee?
A closely held employee is a person who’s directly related to the business, company or trust that pays them. In most cases this is:
- a family member of a family business
- directors or shareholders of a company
- beneficiaries of a trust
A regular employee not directly related to the business is sometimes refereed to as an arms length employee.
Are there any concessions or deferrals for my business?
There are a number of concessional reporting options available for specific businesses or those experiencing exceptional circumstances. Eligibility depends on your circumstances, please see the ATO website for more information.
Situations where STP reporting is not required
You may no longer be required to lodge Single Touch Payroll (STP) reports if your business:
- no longer has employees
- has ceased trading
- has changed structure
- is not paying employees for the rest of the year
- is paused due to COVID-19.
See the ATO website for more information on your specific circumstances.
STP and Payday Super
Under Payday Super requirements, the ATO requires that all employers report Qualifying Earnings as part of their STP reporting. Payday Super is another government initiative that requires employers to pay superannuation payments to their employees on the same day as salary and wages. To start reporting your employees’ Qualifying Earnings properly, check out our Payday Super information Hub here!
Plans that fit your business needs and your pocket
30-Day free trial
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Unlimited users
Step 1/2Choose your plan
NextReview
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Payroll Essentials
Up to 4 employees
Was $18
Paying monthly: $1.80 / month
$1.80/month for 6 months | Save $97.20
Was $199
Paying yearly: $89.55 / year
55% off for the first 12 months | Save $109.45
Payroll Plus
Up to 10 employees
Was $35
Paying monthly: $3.50 / month
$3.50/month for 6 months | Save $189
Was $386
Paying yearly: $173.70 / year
55% off for the first 12 months | Save $212.30
Payroll Premium
Unlimited employees
Was $65
Paying monthly: $6.50 / month
$6.50/month for 6 months | Save $351
Was $718
Paying yearly: $323.10 / year
55% off for the first 12 months | Save $394.90
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Payroll EssentialsUp to 4 employees MonthlyYearlySave more Was Paying monthly: $1.80 / month $1.80/month for 6 months | Save $97.20 Was Paying yearly: $89.55 / year 55% off for the first 12 months | Save $109.45 | Popular Payroll PlusUp to 10 employees MonthlyYearlySave more Was Paying monthly: $3.50 / month $3.50/month for 6 months | Save $189 Was Paying yearly: $173.70 / year 55% off for the first 12 months | Save $212.30 | Payroll PremiumUnlimited employees MonthlyYearlySave more Was Paying monthly: $6.50 / month $6.50/month for 6 months | Save $351 Was Paying yearly: $323.10 / year 55% off for the first 12 months | Save $394.90 | |
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Payroll features explained
- Number of employees
Choose a payroll plan based on the size of your team, with options for up to four, up to 10 or unlimited employees. You can move to a larger plan as your business grows.
- Payday Super ready
Calculate, pay and lodge super directly from your payroll software. Pay multiple super funds in one batch and validate contribution data before submission to reduce errors and make Payday Super compliance easy.
- Process pay runs
Manage pay runs including employee wages, salaries and other payments in one place. Set up regular pay schedules and let Reckon One automatically calculate PAYG withholding as part of each pay run.
- Email payslips
Batch email payslips to all employees in one go after completing a pay run. Customise the email template to suit your business and view a history of previously sent items.
- Manage Single Touch Payroll
Stay STP Phase 2 compliant with payroll software from an ATO-approved provider. Prepare and send the required payroll information directly to the ATO when you complete a pay run.
- Calculate superannuation
Automatically calculate employee contributions using current super guarantee rates. Reckon Payroll is fully SuperStream compliant and Payday Super compliant.
- Track leave & entitlements
Manage employee earnings, allowances, deductions and leave entitlements in one place. Leave balances are calculated automatically, helping you keep employee records accurate after each pay run.
- Payroll reporting
Use ready-made payroll reports to monitor employee and payroll information. Manage end-of-year compliance reporting and share access with your accountant or bookkeeper when you need assistance.
- Available on mobile & web
Access payroll from the web or the free Reckon Payroll Companion App. Manage payroll from almost anywhere and keep your information automatically synced across devices.
- Employee facing app
Give employees free access to Reckon Mate, where they can self-onboard and enter their personal, banking, tax and super details. Employees can also check payslips, leave balances and payment summaries while their information syncs with Reckon Payroll.
- Pay templates
Create reusable templates and apply them to one or multiple employees in a few clicks. Set rates in one place to reduce repetitive setup and support consistent, accurate payroll processing.
- Track timesheets
Employees can create and submit their own timesheets for approval. Use approved entries to create pay runs, improve timesheet accuracy and reduce duplicate data entry.
- Employee expense claims
Let employees create expense claims and attach supporting receipts. Customise the claim template and approval process to suit your business and keep reimbursements organised.
- Free data migration
Move to Reckon with help from our data migration service. Eligible paid subscriptions include the migration of one year of historical data plus your year-to-date information at no additional cost.
- Free onboarding session
An online one-on-one session with a Reckon expert to ask questions and learn how to get started. Your session provides personalised guidance on setting up the software for your business.
Accounting plans
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Accounting Plus
Perfect for small businesses
Was $27
Paying monthly: $2.70 / month
$2.70/month for 6 months | Save $145.80
Was $298
Paying yearly: $134.10 / year
55% off for the first 12 months | Save $163.90
Optional Add payroll on the next step
Accounting Premium
Perfect for growing businesses
Was $50
Paying monthly: $5 / month
$5/month for 6 months | Save $270
Was $552
Paying yearly: $248.40 / year
55% off for the first 12 months | Save $303.60
Optional Add payroll on the next step
Ultimate Plan
Perfect for larger businesses
Was $92
Paying monthly: $9.20 / month
$9.20/month for 6 months | Save $496.80
Was $1,016
Paying yearly: $457.20 / year
55% off for the first 12 months | Save $558.80
Included Unlimited payroll and inventory
Compare features
Accounting PlusPerfect for small businesses MonthlyYearlySave more Was Paying monthly: $2.70 / month $2.70/month for 6 months | Save $145.80 Was Paying yearly: $134.10 / year 55% off for the first 12 months | Save $163.90 Optional Add payroll on the next step | Accounting PremiumPerfect for growing businesses MonthlyYearlySave more Was Paying monthly: $5 / month $5/month for 6 months | Save $270 Was Paying yearly: $248.40 / year 55% off for the first 12 months | Save $303.60 Optional Add payroll on the next step | New Ultimate PlanPerfect for larger businesses MonthlyYearlySave more Was Paying monthly: $9.20 / month $9.20/month for 6 months | Save $496.80 Was Paying yearly: $457.20 / year 55% off for the first 12 months | Save $558.80 Included Unlimited payroll and inventory | |
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| Not included | Included1-10 items | IncludedUnlimited | |
| Optional, choose on next step | Optional, choose on next step | IncludedUnlimited |
Accounting features explained
- Unlimited users
- Add as many admin users to your account
- Set up their unique permissions and login details
- Enter payments and expenses
- Track money coming in and out of your business
- Record payments and bills
- Add business expenses
- Track and report GST for BAS
- Calculate GST throughout the year
- Easily prepare your BAS statement
- See cash flow in real-time
- Customise your accounting dashboard
- See your business performance in real-time
- Track bank balances, income and more
- Create budgets
- Create budgets to manage your finances
- Track and review budget progress
- Compare budgets vs actuals year on year
- 30+ insightful reports
- Track your finances with our easy report templates.
- Run financial reports including profit & loss and balance sheets.
- Share your account with your accountant or bookkeeper.
- Phone & chat support
Technical phone support available:
Mon – Fri: 8:30am – 7pm
Sat – Sun: 9am – 4pm- Unlimited invoices & bills
- Create and send unlimited invoices
- Convert quotes to invoices in seconds
- Add your logo and personalise your invoice template
- Automatic invoice reminders
- Send automated invoice reminders by email so you get paid on time.
- Set reminders to trigger before, on or after the due date, tailored to your business.
- Multiple outstanding invoices are automatically consolidated into one email.
- Invoice on web & mobile
Your subscription includes access to the Reckon Invoice App so you can:
- Manage invoices on the go
- Updates sync across your devices
Once you’ve signed up, download the Reckon Invoice App for free from the Apple or Google Play store.
- Accept card payments
- Get paid faster with online card payments via Stripe
- Add ‘Pay Now’ links on your invoices
- Accept Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Google Pay & Apple Pay
- Connect Reckon to your bank account
- Securely connect your bank accounts, using Open Banking or direct feeds
- Your transactions flow automatically into Reckon One
- Sort, match and reconcile transactions with ease
- Free data migration
Move to Reckon with help from our data migration service. Eligible paid subscriptions include the migration of one year of historical data plus your year-to-date information at no additional cost.
- Free onboarding session
An online one-on-one session with a Reckon expert to ask questions and learn how to get started. Your session provides personalised guidance on setting up the software for your business.
- Track timesheets
- Create timesheets for employees, clients or projects
- Improve the efficiency and accuracy of your time tracking
- Reduce manual data entry
- Unlimited project management
- Get better insight into your business by tracking profitability across projects.
- Assign invoices, time and bills to projects to track their performance.
- Add sub-projects for larger jobs and track their profitability.
- Advanced reporting
- Additional reports available
- Data visualisations
- Automate & schedule reporting
- Inventory management
Track stock quantities and value as products are bought and sold. Receive low-stock alerts, support negative inventory and access reports that provide insight into stock levels and value.
- Payroll
Everything you need to pay and manage your employees. Manage payroll, payslips, PAYG and leave, with Single Touch Payroll and Payday Super compliance covered.
*Offer only available to new Reckon customers and applies to the first Reckon One book only. The discount will be applied to your subscription for the first 6 months only. Once the promotional period ends, pricing reverts to the RRP applying at that time, which may differ from the RRP today. The offer expires on 30/11/26 unless withdrawn earlier.
† Free data migration offer includes 1 year of historical data + YTD only. Paid subscriptions only.
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