Basic PAYE Tools update - lost column 1b1

Basic PAYE Tools update - lost column 1b1

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I wondered if others have started to prepare for their clients' payroll year-ends using HMRC's own software - Basic PAYE Tools 2012?

I used it successfully throughout last year but this year, on downloading the software update this month, I have been unable to retrieve from the back-up files the information from individual employees column 1b1 in which is recorded "Earnings above the ST, up to and including the PT".

Why is this important?  Well it is this figure that I have diligently monitored each month and which triggers a small NIC liability at the year-end.

The updated software does not pick up this information, tells me there is an error (see next), does not tell me how to correct the error and will not let me complete the year-end routine.  (Thinks - all that effort to keep things straight each month and at the eleventh hour HMRC's own software lets me down badly).

"The PTtoUAP (sic) must exceed zero for the specified NI category* as the total NIC's contributions value exceeds 0.32p"

(* this is where the NI letter is A, the gross annual salary is £7,200 pa (£600 pcm) and the resulting year-end liability is £17.66p).

It tells me I need to correct the error but I cannot see where in the interface the user can do this.  Any suggestions please? (Sensible ones only please)

Best wishes

P2

Replies (10)

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Tom McClelland
By TomMcClelland
10th Mar 2012 09:31

How long ago did you download the basic pay tools. My understanding is that some bugs in them (in particular related to NI bandings) have recently been discovered and that there is an update. Whether or not those bugs are the same problem that you're saying, I can't say.

EDIT: In fact re-reading your query I'm pretty sure that this is the same bug in the HMRC tools I'm aware of. Employees who earn between the primary and secondary thresholds and hence are liable for employers NI but not employee's NI get picked up as an error. I've heard that this error has now been fixed.

In HMRC's defence, they weren't the only software supplier to be caught out by the introduction of the ST. But as they're the ones who make the rules you'd think that they'd get it right!

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By dalesider
14th Mar 2012 12:09

Had the same problem today. 

Had the same problem today.  HMRC are "aware of the anomaly".  They hope to have it fixed by the ned of the month!!

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Tom McClelland
By TomMcClelland
14th Mar 2012 12:31

Reports were optimistic

Ah, evidently the report I heard that this had already been fixed was optimistic.

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By P2
15th Mar 2012 14:41

Tom's optimism

That's right Tom.  I was concerned that I had not got the most up to date "fix" so I uninstalled the program and downloaded afresh from the HMRC website on the afternoon I started this subject. 

The re-load didn't solve the problem though. Thanks for your suggestion, anyway.

I've now written to HMRC giving a specific client reference and an example of the problem.

(I had to do this as they weren't interested in talking to me about a "generic" software problem).

If it takes a long time to fix do you think those affected have a reasonable excuse to be a couple of days late filing P35s?

I say this because there's a lot of work to be getting on with and we could do without delays arising from problems like this.  I need to be getting started before April.

Thanks and best wishes to all who have responded so far.

P2

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Tom McClelland
By TomMcClelland
15th Mar 2012 14:52

I think you're probably safe...

If HMRC's own software has a bug in it that prevents you from filing then I'm guessing that would count as a reasonable excuse for late filing. But probably you'd rather not have the hassle of the appeal, I'm sure.

You could always use a free piece of commercial software (who knows you might like it so much that you pay for it) (Insert sunglasses emoticon here)

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By P2
15th Mar 2012 15:05

HMRC response so far

Hi John

 

The SDS team do not have any expertise in using the Basic PAYE tools.  Any queries about Live submissions or use of the Basic PAYE tools should be directed to the online service helpdesk on 0845 60 55 99.

 

 

Regards

Trevor Huddleston
HMRC CP Delivery - Software Developer Support Team
Tel: 01274 539666

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By P2
15th Mar 2012 15:22

Problem solved

Hi John

 

Further to my earlier reply I contacted the Basic PAYE tools section to check if this was an error with the software and received the following reply:

 

“We were aware of a problem where some customers may have received the following error message when they start the EOY process: 'The PT to UAP must exceed zero for the specified NI category as the total NICs contributions value exceeds 0.32p.'

The figures produced by the BPT are correct but it is a 'validation' check within the BPT that was causing this error message.  An update has been released today which will resolve this issue.  Please advise the customer to make sure their BPT is set to receive automatic updates through the Options tab so they can check for the update.  Information has also been published on our website under 'What's New' (on our Home Page), or through 'Employers', Basic PAYE Tools and 'Important updates and changes to Basic PAYE Tools'.”

 

Hope this helps

 

 

Regards

Trevor Huddleston

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Tom McClelland
By TomMcClelland
15th Mar 2012 22:35

Thank you Trevor

Very helpful of you.

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By [email protected]
01st Apr 2012 13:57

PAYE online filing error

Unfortunately I did not come across this site until after spending several hours trying to work out where I was going wrong when trying to submit my PAYE returns.  The error also affects IRIS software and direct online filing - and is certainly still present today (1 April 2012). 

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Tom McClelland
By TomMcClelland
01st Apr 2012 14:49

If it affects Iris...

If the error affects Iris then you'll probably need a software update from them. It is very likely that they'll already be aware of it.

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