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richard96
Level 4

Running an empty payroll, with no employees needing to be paid

I have a client that just been upgraded from Standard to Core payroll. She does not draw a salary every month, so previously on Standard Payroll I have been running an 'empty' payroll for those months, i.e. unticking her as an employee, running the payroll with no employees to be paid and submitting the EPS to confirm the same to HMRC.

 

Now, under the new Core Payroll, I cannot see how to do this?

 

If I untick her, as before, I get an error message: "Select employees before you preview the payroll for them."

 

So I select her, but change the payment to be 'skip salary this time only', I get an error message: "You must either enter the hours worked or compensation amounts, or clear the checkbox to exclude employee from this payroll run."

 

So I clear the checkbox to exclude her as an employee and loop round the same process again!

 

What is the correct approach to indicate no employees need paying this period and allowing submission of the EPS?

6 REPLIES 6
FateCandylaneT
QuickBooks Team

Running an empty payroll, with no employees needing to be paid

You can manually submit employee payroll and EPS through the HMRC tool, richard96. Let me help share information about this.

 

Since QuickBooks Online Standard Payroll has been discontinued, running payroll with no employees needing to be paid in QBO Core Payroll is currently unavailable. However, you can submit them directly to the HMRC basic tool available on the website.

 

From there, you can download and access the HMRC tool then submit an EPS. I'm including this link for additional insights: Running payroll.

 

If you require detailed guidance in processing them through the tool, you can reach out to the HMRC to help you submit them on time.

 

Moreover, here's a reference you can utilize to help you handle payroll issues in your account: Fix payroll error codes in QuickBooks Online.

 

Lean on us for any additional assistance you need when managing employee payroll in your account. Our team will be around to guide you further. Stay safe!

richard96
Level 4

Running an empty payroll, with no employees needing to be paid

Oh dear. That's not the message we've been receiving through your emails.

 

"Standard Payroll is being replaced by Core Payroll, a solution that is designed on a powerful new platform that provides a better experience..."

 

"A conscious effort will be made to make this transition as seamless as possible to avoid any disruption to your business"

 

So why are you taking features away without any prior notification?

 

I suppose she will at least save the £6 a month when I unsubscribe her from Core Payroll.

 

A very unprofessional and disappointing attitude from Intuit though.

ben156
Level 2

Running an empty payroll, with no employees needing to be paid

I am sorry to jump in that that is really disappointing and frustrating to hear. Why are you removing features which in my opinion are completely essential to running my business. You have now made it completely impossible for me to easily run and submit my payroll records to HMRC (which I need to do today).

Can someone please respond to me and tell me how to run an empty payroll please. If that cannot be done then I will firmly consider leaving Quickbooks as I cannot be without this payroll option.

ben156
Level 2

Running an empty payroll, with no employees needing to be paid

I totally agree with you. I am really stuck now!

richard96
Level 4

Running an empty payroll, with no employees needing to be paid

Very disappointing, but seems to be the way with cloud software these days. They can just take features away at the drop of a hat!

 

In the short term, I suspect you will have to do as they advise and use the HMRC Basic PAYE Tools software, even if just as a stop gap. At least it's free and does the job. I do this for another client, who has always refused to pay the extra for QB Payroll... a wise man with hindsight!

 

Best of luck.

MsNorthPND18
QuickBooks Team

Running an empty payroll, with no employees needing to be paid

I recognize the urgency of running reports for payroll to be sorted out, Ben156.
 
You have made two posts in the Community space concerning your issue, and my colleague has already responded to this matter in a separate thread. Kindly follow this link to view the response: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-uk/employees-and-payroll/re-core-payroll-running-empt...


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