UK Employee SMP Payment for the first few months

Hi there, Oxford. Currently, QuickBooks is configured solely to manage standard Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) calculations automatically. Since the specific function you need is unavailable, I'll guide you through a workaround to align with your company's maternity leave policy.

QuickBooks Online can automate the calculation of SMP in compliance with UK payroll regulations. However, if you need to make manual adjustments to the SMP amounts based on different periods or conditions, you can use the Additional Pay feature found in each worker's profile. This feature provides the flexibility to modify the SMP amounts as necessary.

To create one, here's how:

1. Open your QuickBooks Online.
2. Go to Payroll, then Employee. 
3. Select and open the employee you want to add SMP.
4. Once on the employee profile, click the Action dropdown, then Additional Pay.
5. Choose or look for the payment type you wish to Add. If the payment type you need isn't available, you can add it by clicking the plus sign icon.
6. Enter the necessary information, then click Save.

For your reference, here is a screenshot:

For reference and additional details, please read this article: Add bonus, holiday pay and other pay types in QuickBooks Online Standard Payroll.

After processing your payroll, the adjusted SMP will be reflected correctly, ensuring your adherence to both regulations and your company's specific policies.

Additionally, if you need guidance on transferring employee or payroll data outside of QuickBooks, please review this article: Export your QuickBooks Online Standard Payroll data.

Feel free to comment or post in this forum if you have any questions regarding setting up SMP payments for your employee, Oxford. We are here to assist you whenever you need support.

Thank you for the explanation that makes sense.

For me to work out the 'additional pay' amount in £, would it be best to preview the payroll then follow the steps you have outlines to bring the monthly amount up to the company's maternity leave policy expected amount? Then add the difference between the total amount expected for the month and the SMP calculated by QBs?

Also you mentioned I can run the payroll to then 'distribute the SMP accurately'. What do you mean by this?

Thank you