Filling Record of Employment (ROE) blocks in QuickBooks Online Payroll

The record of employment (ROE) process in Quickbooks Payroll allows you to generate an ROE, download it as a .BLK file, and upload the file to Service Canada.

QuickBooks Online Payroll helps you create ROEs, with the same level of validation as ROE Web. It flags any issues in the form, so you can correct them before submitting. QuickBooks error identification is based on information provided by Service Canada.

Want to review that info? Service Canada has a thorough block-by-block explanation of all ROE fields available here.

If an error is displayed while completing your ROE, you'll need to close the ROE submission and go back into the product to fix the error. We've listed the necessary walkthroughs by ROE Block in order to guide you through error correction:

• Block 3
• Block 4, 7 and 21
• Block 5
• Block 6, 8 and 9
• Block 10, 11 and 12
• Block 15 A, B and C
• Block 16
• Block 17 and 19

Block 3

The Employee ID must be 26 characters or less.

Block 4, 7 and 21

Update your business information.

Block 5

Update your Federal Tax information (CRA Payroll Number).

Block 6, 8 and 9

Update employee details.

The first name must be 20 characters or less, and the last name must be 28 characters or less. Each address line must be 35 characters or less.

Note: Block 6 edits can have significant impacts on Block 15C; it is advised that changes to Block 6 are discussed with your accountant.

Block 10, 11 and 12

The dates in these 3 blocks must be in sequential order or be the same.

Block 10 is the First day worked. This is the employee’s Hire Date. This must be earlier than or the same as the date in Block 11.

Block 11 is the Last day for which paid. This is actual last day the employee worked for you. This is the date you enter in the employee’s Termination Date field. It must be earlier than or the same as to the date in Block 12.

Block 12 is the Final Pay Period ending date. This doesn't have to be the same as the paycheque's pay date. The paycheque's pay date is not recorded on the ROE.

To change Blocks 10 and 11, select Cancel at the bottom-left to exit the Review ROE screen. Go to the Employment section under the terminated employee's profile and make the necessary updates.

Visit this link for instructions on each block.

Block 15 A, B and C

Review and update Insurable Earnings.

Block 16

To update the reason for issuing the ROE, you will need to update employee details.

To update the Contact information found in Block 16, select the gear icon, select Payroll Settings, then select Contact Information.

Note: The first and last name, area code, and phone number must be present. The first name must be 20 characters or less and the last name must be 28 characters or less.

Block 17 and 19

QuickBooks Payroll does not automatically populate these blocks. You will have the option to add information to these blocks after uploading the BLK file to ROE Web.