What's new in Sybiz Visipay 22.10

Sybiz Visipay 22.10

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Important Information

Microsoft.NET Framework upgrade
Version 22.10 of Sybiz Visipay utilises Microsoft.NET Framework version 4.8 and therefore some custom add-ons may require updating. Some custom add-ons may require updating if upgrading from versions older than Sybiz 22. Some older supported operating systems may also be required to download .NET updates prior to installation of Sybiz 22. This update will not affect Microsoft SQL Server but may impact servers running Sybiz Visipay Employee Self Service (ESS).

Any customers on a Microsoft.NET Framework prior to version 4.8 may not be able to web update. We recommend having Microsoft.NET Framework version 4.8 installed and ready prior to upgrading to Sybiz version 22.10 to prevent any complications.

Operating system compatibility
Certain older operating systems (Microsoft Windows XP, some versions of Microsoft Windows Vista and Microsoft Server 2003), Microsoft SQL Server (2008/2008R2), and Microsoft Windows Server 2012 are not compatible with Sybiz 22.10 - if uncertain consult your Authorised Business Partner prior to upgrading. Microsoft Windows 11 is supported for Sybiz 22+ with compatibility extending to some other later versions of Sybiz solutions.

DevExpress upgrade
Version 22.10 of Sybiz Visipay utilises DevExpress version 21.2.6.0.

Getting ready for Single Touch Payroll Phase 2 (STP2)

Sybiz has been granted a deferral for Single Touch Payroll phase 2 (STP2) reporting via Sybiz Visipay, and while users may notice major changes for STP2 in this release, STP2 reporting will only be possible from Sybiz Visipay 22.20 and after rolling into the 2022/23 financial year.

Current users of Sybiz Visipay will be exempt from reporting STP2 until 1 July 2022. This deferral automatically applies to all Sybiz Visipay users. You will need to apply for a separate employer deferral is if you believe you will be unable to meet your STP2 obligations from 1 July 2022. (CR2202-0223)

Multiple references are made to the ATO in the content below and ATO resources pertaining to STP2 are readily accessible via the ATO website. The ATO has requested software developers to refrain from republishing the information as it is being updated and extended on a regular basis. Therefore, the ATO resources should be used as the source of this information.

How you can get ready for STP2 with Sybiz Visipay
Sybiz Visipay 22.10 includes a number of changes that helps customers get prepared for STP2. New employee data requirements have been automated through the upgrade process but employee records should be checked upon upgrade - especially those that are not regular employees, such as working holiday makers. In most cases additional pay items will be required to be added and Other Allowance pay items should be reviewed to complete their configuration or reclassify them (see below), and new allowances should be created if required. By ensuring this data has been entered and/or updated in advance of 1 July 2022, customers will be in a good position to start reporting STP2 after upgrading to Sybiz Visipay 22.20 (released June 2022) and rolling into July 2022.

Mandatory personal detail fields required for STP2
Certain employee fields require data to be entered for STP2. On creation of new employees, these fields will issue errors if no data is entered, whereas other mandatory fields will auto-populate and can be manually changed where necessary.

Employee number, employee name, full address details and tax file numbers have been required data in Sybiz Visipay for STP since its launch.

The Tax treatment category, tax treatment option and tax scale fields are also all required, but values are included by default when creating a new employee and can be updated where necessary. There are a number of new Tax treatment categories as defined by the ATO.

Employment Basis required field
The employment basis of an employee needs to be classified for STP2. Logic is used upon upgrade to set this value for employees to Casual if they are linked to a staff type that is flagged as casual, Full Time if they are linked to a staff type with a working week of at least 35 hours and Part Time for all others. Note that other options such as Death Beneficiary and Non-Employee are available and must be manually selected if relevant.

For clarification on setting the correct employment basis, please consult with the ATO or your trusted business advisor.

New allowance types
There are three new types of allowances being Qualifications, Tasks and Tools. These would have previously been listed as Other under STP1 and if you provide these allowances you should create new allowances for the new specific categories for STP2. Be aware that if an existing Other allowance is re-categorised it will be excluded from STP1 reporting, therefore any changes should be made after STP1 reporting has been finalised and prior to STP2 reporting.

Some allowance types renamed
Additionally, the way Other allowances are reported has also changed in that a code is transmitted in the STP2 report, rather than the description which was previously used. All Other allowances will need to be edited and a code selected from the Payment Summary Code list for use with STP2.

New Leave Categorisations
Some new Leave Categorisations (found in Lookups > Payroll > Earnings) have been defined by the ATO, including Ancillary & Defence Leave, Workers Compensation & Paid Parental Leave. These new categories have been added to support the new reporting requirements in STP2 for non-accruing leave.

New Payment Types for leave when processing pays
Under STP2 it is necessary to use new Payment Types for leave when processing pays. These are now available in Sybiz Visipay as defined by the ATO. The Payment Types include Cash Out, Unused Leave on Termination and Other. Please note that Other is terminology used by the ATO and represents the normal taking of leave, for example, when an employee takes annual leave for a holiday.

New Salary Sacrifice and Payment Deductions features
The reporting of salary sacrifice under STP2 has changed compared to STP1. In STP2, the source of the salary sacrifice remains at its pre-sacrificed value and the salary sacrifice is reported separately. The key change that is required when processing salary sacrifice other for reporting under STP2 is that the sacrifice is now processed as deduction, rather than a negative earning item. The deduction must be offset against Salary Sacrifice Deductions added to employees' records. Individual records can be created for each salary sacrifice or a single item can be used to offset all salary sacrifice deductions.

Payment Deductions can also be configured in the Employee’s record which facilitates the tracking of loans (or similar) and the repayments.

Enhancements

Tax File Number Redaction
The tax file number and payslip email password are now hidden by default but can be made visible as required. The tax file number has also been removed from the employee grid and several standard reports to better protect this sensitive information. (CR210445867 & CR2202-0286)