Note: All news content is archived by year and accessed using the links below. Some older content may not be available - a general rule is the older the link, the less likely it is to be there. To search for information by topic rather than date, try our Alphabetical Site Index.

Friday 31st December
My employee usually works 2 days a week. What is their annual holiday entitlement?

Thursday 30th December
Getting ready to pay the New Year stat days? This document covers how the New Year stat days are handled under the Holidays Act 2003, and links to several documents that show you how to handle paying these public holidays in Ace Payroll.

Wednesday 29th December
Is there a place in Ace Payroll where I can record hours in lieu that have nothing to do with a public holiday? For example, if an employee works three hours on a Saturday and I wish to hold these in lieu?

Tuesday 28th December
I have a casual employee who has recently become a permanent employee. How do I change their holiday pay from 6% each pay?

Monday 27th December
The Council of Trade Unions has accused the Restaurant Association of "profiteering" and misusing the new Holidays Act by urging members to add a 20 per cent surcharge on Christmas holidays.

Saturday 25th December
Merry Christmas from Ace Payroll. Our help desk continues to operate throughout the holiday period 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday, public holidays excepted.

Friday 24th December
Senior nurses could cost as much as $1100 for just one eight-hour shift in the coming public holidays for some private hospitals and retirement homes, another factor in a staff shortage close to crisis.

Thursday 23rd December
The minimum wage will increase from $9 to $9.50 an hour from March next year, Labour Minister Paul Swain announced today.

Wednesday 22nd December
Income thresholds for student loan repayments and interest write-offs will rise from 1 April 2005, in line with the forecast of the annual movement in the December Consumer Price Index.

Tuesday 21st December
My employee has only worked for me for a few months, and is demanding a few days of paid holidays. Am I required to allow this?

Monday 20th December
We take this opportunity to wish all clients a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Our help desk continues to operate throughout the holiday period 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday, public holidays excepted.

Friday 17th December
Having a compulsory closedown? Make sure you tax lump sums paid to your staff correctly - this document shows you how.

Thursday 16th December
I am having a compulsory closedown and paying out holiday pay plus the 4 statutory holidays. When I click on Leave then Public Holiday Taken it says there are no public holidays in the pay period. Well, there are not - because I'm paying in advance of the closedown. What do I do?

Wednesday 15th December
Confused by parental leave? To assist, we have published the Act, written a tutorial, and assembled FAQ's by the Employment Relations Service.

Tuesday 14th December
This tutorial explains the calculation methods used for paying holiday pay under the Holidays Act 2003, then shows how Ace Payroll automatically handles these calculations.

Monday 13th December
The holiday pay season is almost here. You may like to review our holiday pay entitlement tutorial and related links.

Sunday 12th December
The National Party came under attack yesterday from both sides of the political spectrum after announcing a u-turn on its holidays policy.

Friday 10th December
Tauranga District Court today reinforced Inland Revenue's tough stance on tax evasion, sentencing horticultural contractor Davinder Singh to 12 months imprisonment.

Thursday 9th December
Is there a facility in Ace Payroll where I can check when public holidays fall, in this, and future years?

Wednesday 8th December
This document shows how to record the upcoming Christmas and New Year stat days for employees that do not work on these days but need to be paid for them.

Tuesday 7th December
An important part of the Holidays Act 2003 is the introduction of an Employee Leave Profile. How do I attend to this in Ace Payroll?

Monday 6th December
In this tutorial we look at annual compulsory closedowns. That is, where a business traditionally closes down for a number of weeks each year, usually over Christmas.

Friday 3rd December
IRD Payroll News - Issue 70 December 2004

Thursday 2nd December
Getting ready for Christmas? This document covers how Christmas is handled under the Holidays Act 2003, and links to several documents that show you how to handle paying these public holidays in Ace Payroll.

Wednesday 1st December
I own a small business. My employees are entitled as a condition of their employment to staff buying privileges. One of my employees has resigned and is currently working out his notice period. Can I deduct the amount owed on his staff account from his final pay? If not, how can I recover this money?

Tuesday 30th November
The interest rate used to calculate fringe benefit tax on low-interest, employment-related loans will rise to 8.52 per cent from 1 January 2005.

Monday 29th November
Under the Holidays Act 2003 it is important to identify actual dates taken for all leave types. How do I go about doing this in Ace Payroll?

Friday 26th November
Looking for help with Ace Payroll? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions where we answer well over one hundred questions about Ace Payroll with simple explanations and screenshots to demonstrate the answers.

Thursday 25th November
An Employment Tribunal case illustrates the danger to employers of not making it clear to prospective employees when and how an offer of employment will be made.

Wednesday 24th November
Can you confirm that Ace Payroll correctly validates the bank account numbers for Superbank?

Tuesday 23rd November
Employers waste billions of dollars every year hiring people who don't fit the bill. Anna Jaquiery finds out how firms are selecting the right talent and personalities in a tight labour market.

Monday 22nd November
As a High Court case illustrates, it is important that company directors disclose when they contract with employees and creditors that they are doing so on behalf of a company.

Friday 19th November
Under the Employment Relations Act, all employment agreements are required to be in writing, but an oral agreement is still valid, the Employment Relations Authority has ruled.

Thursday 18th November
The Ace Payroll Site Index is an alphabetical listing of items on our website - it makes searching for the items you wish to learn about quick and easy.

Wednesday 17th November
IRD November 2004 Agents Answers.

Tuesday 16th November
When I go to calculate my regular payroll it shows last weeks pay date. What is wrong?

Monday 15th November
My employee works Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We are closing on Saturday - Christmas Day but will be working every other day so this employee will be working on Sunday - Boxing Day. What does the employee get?

Friday 12th November
Fraudsters dismissals were justified even though the fraud occurred prior to employment, the Employment Relations Authority has held.

Thursday 11th November
What is the correct way to show ACC payments on the IR348 Employer Monthly Schedule?

Wednesday 10th November
David Barnes has forfeited his job at an Auckland printing works rather than become a "marked commodity" by surrendering his fingerprints to his employer.

Tuesday 9th November
How to search for an employee on the Ace Payroll employee index.

Monday 8th November
Resources to help keep yourself, your family & your workplace injury free from the ACC.

Friday 5th November
The User Definable Employee Data Field allows you to set up and name a field, then use it to record whatever item of employee information you want.

Thursday 4th November
The latest issue of IRD Payroll News talks about the different tax codes your employees should use.

Wednesday 3rd November
The casual agricultural tax code CAE reputedly taxes at 22.2%. Farmers and orchardists regularly ask why the calculation in Ace Payroll differs by a few cents.

Tuesday 2nd November
The most recent public holiday, Labour Day, fell on Monday 25th October. If you are paying for this day in this weeks pays, this document shows you how to handle it.

Monday 1st November
Employers can employ new staff on trial periods, as long as they specify in writing that the employee is on a trial period - now also referred to as a "probationary arrangement".

Friday 29th October
The Reserve Bank has increased the Official Cash Rate from 6.25 per cent to 6.50 per cent.

Thursday 28th October
ACC makes 2005/06 levy recommendations

Wednesday 27th October
For monthly salaries, why is there a small discrepancy between the IRD printed tax tables, and the figures calculated by Ace Payroll?

Tuesday 26th October
Who gets paid what on Labour Day 2004? - A factsheet from the Employment Relations Service.

Monday 25th October
You are not required to pay time and a half if an employee takes sick leave when rostered to work on Labour Day.

Friday 22nd October
How do I handle paying an employee who did not work on Labour Day, but given that it is a day they normally work, is entitled to be paid for the day?

Thursday 21st October
How do I handle paying an employee who works on Labour Day in Ace Payroll?

Wednesday 20th October
It is the legal duty of employers to pay tax on lump-sum payments such as that received by besieged Labour Minister John Tamihere, a tax expert said yesterday.

Tuesday 19th October
The next public holiday this year, Labour Day, falls on Monday 25th October. This document shows you how to handle Labour Day in Ace Payroll.

Monday 18th October
Sometimes the IRD asks you to deduct tax at a rate which is not a whole number, plus the earner premium. An example of this is a request to deduct tax at 22.5%, as asked of one of our clients recently. When the IRD does this, they have made a mistake.

Friday 15th October
The only browsable copy of Inland Revenue's IR335 Employer's Guide in New Zealand, indexed and linked where appropriate to other relevant parts of this web site. Perfect for new employers.

Thursday 14th October
Confused by parental leave? To assist, we have published the Act, written a tutorial, and assembled FAQ's by the Employment Relations Service.

Wednesday 13th October
I use Ace Payroll to send wages to Deskbank, and rather than have one total for wages appear on the bank statement, I want a separate amount for each employee.

Tuesday 12th October
Six months on from the introduction of new sick and bereavement leave provisions - attacked at the time by National leader Don Brash as unlimited tangi leave - evidence is emerging of how the legislation is working in practice.

Monday 11th October
This case demonstrates that parties need to take care when preparing employment contracts, as they will be bound by what the contract says. When interpreting contracts, the Court's are generally not interested in what the contract was meant to say.

Friday 8th October
I have accidentally filed a pay for an employee and it is showing on my reports. How do I delete it?

Thursday 7th October
At the start of each financial year Ace Payroll receives a number of calls from clients unsure whether the tax is correctly calculated by the program. Here is a simple checklist.

Wednesday 6th October
Employers will not have to pay sick leave if an employee fails to produce proof of illness or injury "without reasonable excuse", under proposals put before Parliament.

Tuesday 5th October
Let's put tax cuts in terms everyone can understand. Suppose that every day 10 men go for dinner. The bill for all ten comes to $100

Monday 4th October
I have a staff member who earned a lieu day working on a public holiday that fell on a Monday. Normally on a Monday they work from 8am - 12noon. She wishes to use this lieu day on a Friday. Also a day where she works from 8am -12 noon. If she uses this lieu day on a Friday does she use half of it or all of it. Also, if she uses it on a Tuesday when she normally works 8am - 5pm, does she use all of it. I really hope this makes sense.

Friday 1st October
The Employment Relations Act requires all employment agreements to be in writing, and prescribes minimum content. Employers may be severely penalised for breaching the Act. Here are some common problems

Thursday 30th September
A comprehensive tax compliance cost survey of small and medium-sized businesses will begin in October, the government announced today.

Wednesday 29th September
If I have someone working on a public holiday, and they start at 10pm on the public holiday and work till 5am, do I have to pay them at time and a half for the whole day?

Tuesday 28th September
Looking for new payroll software? See what others have to say about Ace Payroll on our Testimonial page.

Monday 27th September
Set your clocks forward one hour next Sunday 3rd October. If staff are employed during the transition, our Daylight Saving and the Time Act 1975 clarifies the situation.

Friday 24th September
An email attack on his employer cost a Northland man his $30,000 redundancy payment, the Employment Court heard.

Thursday 23rd September
If an employee has lieu days owed at 1/4/04, relating to stat days worked in the period to 31/3/04 do these have to be paid out at the average daily rate under the new act or at the agreed rate of an 8 hour day which was in force with our employees prior to March 31?

Wednesday 22nd September
This FAQ explains why the figures on your monthly IR348 Employer Monthly Schedule do not match other wage data for the month.

Tuesday 21st September
A total payroll increase of about 4.43 per cent - or an extra $27 million - is what the meat industry estimates the Holiday Act will cost it in its present form.

Monday 20th September
In this article we look at how the taxation of holiday pay is handled in Ace Payroll

Friday 17th September
The Government's plans to tidy up problems with the Holidays Act have not been welcomed by employers or unions.

Thursday 16th September
One of the Directors of my company reckons the payment of time and a half for working on a public holiday comes in on 1 April 2005, not 1 April 2004. Apparently he received a mailout that stated this. Is it true?

Wednesday 15th September
A fact sheet covering Bereavement Leave under the Holidays Act 2003, from the Employment Relations Service website.

Tuesday 14th September
I read that under the new Holidays Act an employee can sell a holiday day back to an employer? Is this true?

Monday 13th September
The Reserve Bank has increased the Official Cash Rate from 6.00 per cent to 6.25 per cent. The Bank has also stated that further tightening of monetary policy is likely to be required.

Friday 10th September
Inland Revenue wants the Government to repeal a naming and shaming law that requires it to publicly identify tax offenders.

Thursday 9th September
Don't know what you are looking for? Browse our Frequently Asked Questions for over 100 questions and answers about Ace Payroll.

Wednesday 8th September
The Employment Court declined a worker's application for interim reinstatement pending the outcome of her unjustified dismissal claim after work colleagues said they did not want to work with her.

Tuesday 7th September
We have just started using Ace Payroll. Is it necessary to enter a full 52 weeks of earnings so that holiday pay is correctly calculated?

Monday 6th September
Still doing payroll manually and handwriting the IR348 return every month? See how Ace Payroll produces an IRD approved form, saving you time each month.

Friday 3rd September
The Wages Protection Act governs the way in which wages are paid, the making of deductions, and recovery of over payments.

Thursday 2nd September
Labour Minister Paul Swain announced proposed changes to the Holidays Act following a working group report.

Wednesday 1st September
An employer cannot terminate employment without justification by simply giving written notice of termination, even if that is provided for in an employment agreement.

Tuesday 31st August
On paper Glen Wheatley works 40 hours a week, but in reality he and a growing number of other New Zealanders are realising that working nine to five is a myth.

Monday 30th August
Looking for payroll software that is fully compliant with the Holidays Act 2003, easy to use and stable? Download our latest demo version which includes completely rewritten leave routines.

Friday 27th August
There is no legal obligation to pay an employee for time on jury service. However, some employers see this as part of their social or community obligations.

Thursday 26th August
The interest rate used to calculate fringe benefit tax on low-interest, employment-related loans will rise to 8.02% from 1 October 2004. The change was approved by Order in Council yesterday.

Wednesday 25th August
The 9000 New Zealanders who got a second refund cheque from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) have had to cancel the celebrations – it was a mistake.

Tuesday 24th August
I am using the 6% of gross routine for holiday pay. Did I have to change this to 8% on 1st April 2004?

Monday 23rd August
This article provides some tips on dealing with absent employees.

Friday 20th August
Confused by parental leave? To assist, we have published the Act, written a tutorial, and assembled FAQ's by the Employment Relations Service.

Thursday 19th August
The Government is considering a limited amnesty for businesses that have been evading taxes.

Wednesday 18th August
The full text of the Holidays Act 2003 which came into force on 1st April 2004, converted into an easy to read browsable document by Ace Payroll.

Tuesday 17th August
A Wellington man's dismissal for having pornography on his work computer was unjustified, the Employment Relations Authority has held.

Monday 16th August
The Inland Revenue Department is facing tough questions after a staff member who had complained of work-related stress threw himself off the Auckland Harbour Bridge.

Friday 13th August
Recruiting a new staff member and unsure what to ask? - These 109 questions include both traditional and behavioral interview questions.

Thursday 12th August
The Frequently Asked Questions section of our website contains well over 100 questions and answers about the Ace Payroll software, sorted into categories and making extensive use of screenshots.

Wednesday 11th August
The unemployment rate dropped to a 17-year low of 4.0 per cent in the June quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today.

Tuesday 10th August
An old employee has come back to work for me again. How do I resume them in Ace Payroll?

Friday 6th August
More on the legality of secret video cameras.

Thursday 5th August
The August 2004 edition of IRD Payroll News is now online.

Wednesday 4th August
A change in approach in dealing with misconduct discovered after dismissal may greatly benefit employers.

Tuesday 3rd August
The deemed rate of return used for taxing foreign investment fund interests has dropped from 9.90% to 9.45% for the 2003-04 income year.

Monday 2nd August
If your printed IR348 Employers Monthly Schedule as produced by Ace Payroll is returned by the IRD as unsuitable, there are only three possible causes.

Friday 30th July
New Zealand workers in the world's so-called oldest profession have been given a set of health and safety guidelines.

Thursday 29th July
A child support variation code is used if you regularly deduct child support from an employee's wages, but the amount deducted in a certain pay period is different from the usual deduction.

Wednesday 28th July
When does the time and a half pay rate for days in lieu take effect and is there a system in Ace for keeping track of lieu days earnt before 1 April 2004 and those earnt after?

Tuesday 27th July
Questions about Ace Payroll? Try our Frequently Asked Questions, which answers over a hundred questions about Ace Payroll.

Monday 26th July
On the help message in your bereavement leave routine, it seems to suggest I should pay somebody for one day if they feel "reasonably bereaved". Surely I have some sort of say in whether this is justified or not?

Friday 23rd July
An employee was redundant before he even started work, the Employment Relations Authority heard.

Thursday 22nd July
I am the only person who has the password for Ace Payroll. How would my company gain access if something happened to me?

Wednesday 21st July
Can an employment agreement require medical certificates for all sick leave?

Tuesday 20th July
I have tried putting in my password several times but it wont let me into the program?

Monday 19th July
The new Holidays Act states that after 12 months you can replace an alternative day with a payment. How is this payment amount calculated?

Friday 16th July
If an employee does not normally work on the day that the Public Holiday falls but works the Public Holiday are they entitled to an alternative holiday?

Thursday 15th July
Looking for payroll software that is fully compliant with the Holidays Act 2003? Download our latest demo version which includes completely rewritten leave routines.

Wednesday 14th July
IRD Agents Answers - July 2004.

Tuesday 13th July
How do I retrieve a direct credit schedule for the previous pay period?

Monday 12th July
I imagine some people think unlimited bereavement leave starts the day they are employed. That is not correct, is it?

Friday 9th July
Moves to encourage more New Zealanders to join subsidised workplace superannuation schemes are not yet hitting the mark, according to AMP's SuperWatch survey.

Thursday 8th July
This FAQ describes the best way to direct credit all an employee's nett pay.

Wednesday 7th July
Christmas and Boxing Day this year fall on a Saturday and Sunday. I understand that in this case, Monday and Tuesday become the public holiday. In my business, the staff will work on all four of these days. What do I do?

Tuesday 6th July
Earnings Certificates provide your employees with a record of their earnings, tax payments and deductions for the financial year selected.

Monday 5th July
Using the Irregular Work Pattern calculation method for leave under the Holidays Act 2003, why can't I enter a part day, for example 19.5 days?

Saturday 3rd July
Ace Payroll congratulates a valued team member, Rochelle, who gave birth to a healthy baby girl yesterday.

Friday 2nd July
Read the latest issue of the IRD Payroll News, July 2004.

Thursday 1st July
This FAQ explains how to overwrite a PAYE deduction in Ace Payroll.

Wednesday 30th June
In this article we look at the calculation of Relevant Daily Pay for an employee who works irregular hours. We examine both the legislation as well as what you need to do to handle this requirement in Ace Payroll.

Tuesday 29th June
An Auckland company director is standing by a warning to his workers that they will be sacked if they don't always speak English at work.

Monday 28th June
I have a casual employee who has recently become a permanent employee. How do I change their holiday pay from 6% each pay?

Friday 25th June
In answer to one of the questions most commonly emailed to us, details about the minimum wage in New Zealand can be found on this page which we keep updated.

Thursday 24th June
When I print the IRD approved IR348, the first page comes out with IR348 printed on it, but the second and subsequent pages say IR349. Why is this?

Wednesday 23rd June
I understand that under the new act people can accumulate sick days, but what happens to days they are already owed at 1 April 2004? I would have thought it would start from zero, but it seems people keep their balance, and get a whole new 5 at their anniversary?

Tuesday 22nd June
Confused by parental leave? To assist, we have published the Act, written a tutorial, and assembled FAQ's by the Employment Relations Service.

Monday 21st June
How can I show year to date totals on payslips in Ace Payroll?

Friday 18th June
Will any amendments to the Holidays Act 2003 be introduced and passed before Labour weekend; if not, why not?

Thursday 17th June
This tutorial explains the calculation methods used for paying holiday pay under the Holidays Act 2003, then shows how Ace Payroll automatically handles these calculations.

Wednesday 16th June
Long-term employees at a Paraparaumu information technology company feel short-changed by an Employment Relations Authority decision which ruled against them receiving salary increases to match new recruits' pay rates.

Tuesday 15th June
How can I set the Provincial Anniversary Date on a company wide basis so that Ace Payroll knows this is a public holiday for my staff?

Monday 14th June
The so-called "sickies" clause in the two-month-old Holidays Act is almost certain to be axed as the Government moves to stem employer dissatisfaction with workplace reforms.

Friday 11th June
An important part of the Holidays Act 2003 is the introduction of an Employee Leave Profile. How do I attend to this in Ace Payroll?

Thursday 10th June
The country's top union figure has cast doubts on whether a new law entitles workers who claim sick leave on a public holiday to be paid time and a half.

Wednesday 9th June
Is there a facility in Ace Payroll where I can check when public holidays fall, in this, and future years?

Tuesday 8th June
You are not required to pay time and a half if an employee takes sick leave when rostered to work on a public holiday.

Monday 7th June
IRD Agents Answers - June 2004 is now available online.

Friday 4th June
Under the Holidays Act 2003 it is important to identify actual dates taken for all leave types. How do I go about doing this in Ace Payroll?

Thursday 3rd June
This document explains how to handle Queen's Birthday, using our current shipping version.

Wednesday 2nd June
Ace Payroll version 3.22A was released today. This version includes completely rewritten leave routines that comply fully with the Holidays Act 2003, and offers new reporting, help messages and an interface designed with the new legislation in mind.

Tuesday 1st June
I own a small business. My employees are entitled as a condition of their employment to staff buying privileges. One of my employees has resigned and is currently working out his notice period. Can I deduct the amount owed on his staff account from his final pay? If not, how can I recover this money?

Monday 31st May
Can you confirm that Ace Payroll correctly validates the bank account numbers for Superbank?

Friday 28th May
The Court of Appeal has again reduced the remedies awarded to redundant workers whose redundancies were commercially necessary, but carried out in a procedurally unfair manner.

Thursday 27th May
Today is Tax Freedom Day - 147 days into the year and later than last year - when the money you earn goes to line your pockets rather than the taxman's.

Wednesday 26th May
As a High Court case illustrates, it is important that company directors disclose when they contract with employees and creditors that they are doing so on behalf of a company.

Tuesday 25th May
The interest rate used to calculate fringe benefit tax on low-interest, employment-related loans rises to 7.50% from 1 July 2004. The change was approved by Order in Council yesterday.

Monday 24th May
An Employment Tribunal case illustrates the danger to employers of not making it clear to prospective employees when and how an offer of employment will be made.

Friday 21st May
Keep up to date on the new Holidays Act. The full text of the Act, frequently asked questions, and more.

Wednesday 19th May
When I go to calculate my regular payroll it shows last weeks pay date. What is wrong?

Tuesday 18th May
The Ace Payroll Site Index is an alphabetical listing of items on our website - it makes searching for the items you wish to learn about quick and easy.

Monday 17th May
A new national workplace survey has found almost a third of all New Zealand employees are on performance-based pay and many more would like to be.

Friday 14th May
Fraudsters dismissals were justified even though the fraud occurred prior to employment, the Employment Relations Authority has held.

Thursday 13th May
How do I resume a previously finished employee in Ace Payroll?

Wednesday 12th May
How to search for an employee on the Ace Payroll employee index.

Tuesday 11th May
What is the correct way to show ACC payments on the IR348 Employer Monthly Schedule?

Monday 10th May
As the new Sasser virus does the rounds, research shows almost two-thirds of the country's small businesses have been the victim of a malicious online attack.

Friday 7th May
The casual agricultural tax code CAE reputedly taxes at 22.2%. Farmers and orchardists regularly ask why the calculation in Ace Payroll differs by a few cents.

Thursday 6th May
The company likely to be most affected by employment law reforms says the new legislation is unclear and open to abuse.

Wednesday 5th May
IRD Agents Answers - May 2004 is now available online.

Tuesday 4th May
How you can be sure that Ace Payroll is fully IRD compliant.

Monday 3rd May
Under the Employment Relations Act, all employment agreements are required to be in writing, but an oral agreement is still valid, the Employment Relations Authority has ruled.

Friday 30th April
The User Definable Employee Data Field allows you to set up and name a field, then use it to record whatever item of employee information you want.

Thursday 29th April
Employers can employ new staff on trial periods, as long as they specify in writing that the employee is on a trial period - now also referred to as a "probationary arrangement".

Wednesday 28th April
For monthly salaries, why is there a small discrepancy between the IRD printed tax tables, and the figures calculated by Ace Payroll?

Tuesday 27th April
Resources to help keep yourself, your family & your workplace injury free from the ACC.

Monday 26th April
This document explains how to handle ANZAC Day using our current shipping version.

Friday 23rd April
Questions and answers about how to handle Anzac Day under the Holidays Act 2003.

Thursday 22nd April
Anzac Day this year falls on a Sunday, and is observed that day. Monday is not a public holiday.

Wednesday 21st April
Sometimes the IRD asks you to deduct tax at a rate which is not a whole number, plus the earner premium. An example of this is a request to deduct tax at 22.5%, as asked of one of our clients recently. When the IRD does this, they have made a mistake.

Tuesday 20th April
Disabled, sick and elderly Northlanders may have to fend for themselves on public holidays because of the Holidays Act.

Monday 19th April
Haven't caught up on the new Holidays Act 2003 yet? Read the full text of the new Act here.

Friday 16th April
This case demonstrates that parties need to take care when preparing employment contracts, as they will be bound by what the contract says. When interpreting contracts, the Court's are generally not interested in what the contract was meant to say.

Thursday 15th April
I use Ace Payroll to send wages to Deskbank, and rather than have one total for wages appear on the bank statement, I want a separate amount for each employee.

Wednesday 14th April
I have accidentally filed a pay for an employee and it is showing on my reports. How do I delete it?

Tuesday 13th April
At the start of each financial year Ace Payroll receives a number of calls from clients unsure whether the tax is correctly calculated by the program. Here is a simple checklist.

Monday 12th April
Businesses continually trying to cut labour and other costs will lead the economy into stagnation, says Finance Minister Michael Cullen.

Friday 9th April
Green Party MP Sue Kedgley brought Parliament to a lip-licking halt yesterday when she produced a giant 1kg Easter Egg at question time.

Thursday 8th April
Confused by parental leave? To assist, we have published the Act, written a tutorial, and assembled FAQ's by the Employment Relations Service.

Wednesday 7th April
Earnings Certificates provide your employees with a record of their earnings, tax payments and deductions for the financial year selected.

Tuesday 6th April
This document explains how to handle the Easter 2004 holidays, using our current shipping version.

Monday 5th April
IRD Payroll News - Issue 62 April 2004

Friday 2nd April
People looking for a meal over Easter could be out of luck - many restaurants are planning to close or charge extra over the holiday break as new employment laws bite.

Thursday 1st April
I have a staff member who earned a lieu day working on a public holiday that fell on a Monday. Normally on a Monday they work from 8am - 12noon. She wishes to use this lieu day on a Friday. Also a day where she works from 8am -12 noon. If she uses this lieu day on a Friday does she use half of it or all of it. Also, if she uses it on a Tuesday when she normally works 8am - 5pm, does she use all of it. I really hope this makes sense.

Wednesday 31st March
If I have someone working on a public holiday, and they start at 10pm on the public holiday and work till 5am, do I have to pay them at time and a half for the whole day?

Tuesday 30th March
Searching for payroll information? Our alphabetical site index makes finding what you want easy and quick.

Monday 29th March
If an employee has lieu days owed at 1/4/04, relating to stat days worked in the period to 31/3/04 do these have to be paid out at the average daily rate under the new act or at the agreed rate of an 8 hour day which was in force with our employees prior to March 31?

Friday 26th March
The Employment Relations Act requires all employment agreements to be in writing, and prescribes minimum content. Employers may be severely penalised for breaching the Act. Here are some common problems

Thursday 25th March
In this article we look at how the taxation of holiday pay is handled in Ace Payroll

Wednesday 24th March
Remember, from 1st April 2004 the adult minimum wage is $9.00 an hour and the youth rate $7.20.

Tuesday 23rd March
This FAQ explains why the figures on your monthly IR348 Employer Monthly Schedule do not match other wage data for the month.

Monday 22nd March
One of the Directors of my company reckons the payment of time and a half for working on a public holiday comes in on 1 April 2005, not 1 April 2004. Apparently he received a mailout that stated this. Is it true?

Friday 19th March
Employers who cannot answer 'yes' to all the following questions are not complying with the requirements of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 2003.

Thursday 18th March
I read that under the new Holidays Act an employee can sell a holiday day back to an employer? Is this true?

Wednesday 17th March
The Department of Labour holiday payroll specification for software developers was released yesterday.

Tuesday 16th March
Another payroll company has told me they are the only payroll company that is compliant with the new Holidays Act. They keep calling me, what should I do?

Monday 15th March
Ace Payroll releases an upgrade each year, and we are often asked when is the best time to install the upgrade.

Friday 12th March
Turn your clocks back one hour on Sunday 21st March. If staff are employed during the transition, our Daylight Saving and the Time Act 1974 section clarifies the situation.

Thursday 11th March
This IRD document provides a summary of key issues which may relate to people whose businesses have been affected by recent floods.

Wednesday 10th March
Prime Minister Helen Clark and Women's Affairs Minister Ruth Dyson announced on Monday that eligibility and duration of paid parental leave is to be extended.

Tuesday 9th March
The Wages Protection Act governs the way in which wages are paid, the making of deductions, and recovery of over payments.

Monday 8th March
Legislation giving the self-employed a discount on provisional tax paid in the first year of business will be introduced to Parliament within a few weeks.

Friday 5th March
If your printed IR348 Employers Monthly Schedule as produced by Ace Payroll is returned by the IRD as unsuitable, there are only three possible causes.

Thursday 4th March
A scam in which signatures were stolen and used to set up thousands of dollars in fake automatic payments has prompted a warning to businesses to be wary of cold-callers.

Wednesday 3rd March
A child support variation code is used if you regularly deduct child support from an employee's wages, but the amount deducted in a certain pay period is different from the usual deduction.

Tuesday 2nd March
There is no legal obligation to pay an employee for time on jury service. However, some employers see this as part of their social or community obligations.

Monday 1st March
The interest rate used to calculate fringe benefit tax on low-interest, employment-related loans will rise to 7.30% from 1 April 2004. The change was approved by Order in Council on Monday.

Friday 27th February
New Zealand's lowest paid workers will receive a 5.9% pay increase from 1 April, following changes to the minimum wage announced this week by Labour Minister Margaret Wilson.

Thursday 26th February
Can an employment agreement require medical certificates for all sick leave?

Wednesday 25th February
Keeping an eye on our Holidays Act 2003 page? This page links to lots of information about the new Act, and is updated very frequently as clients ask us questions about the new Act and we answer them.

Tuesday 24th February
I am the only person who has the password for Ace Payroll. How would my company gain access if something happened to me?

Monday 23rd February
Inland Revenue urges taxpayers to contact the department as soon as possible if they have lost their tax records in the recent flooding in the central North Island.

Friday 20th February
On the help message in your bereavement leave routine, it seems to suggest I should pay somebody for one day if they feel "reasonably bereaved". Surely I have some sort of say in whether this is justified or not?

Thursday 19th February
How do I retrieve a direct credit schedule for the previous pay period?

Wednesday 18th February
The new Holidays Act states that after 12 months you can replace an alternative day with a payment. How is this payment amount calculated?

Tuesday 17th February
The Tax Office is funding about 10 taxpayer test cases aimed at clarifying the nature of income from personal services and the splitting of such income with spouses and associates.

Monday 16th February
If an employee does not normally work on the day that the Public Holiday falls but works the Public Holiday are they entitled to an alternative holiday?

Friday 13th February
Today the government hosts National Small Business Day in Wellington. For the benefit of any small business owner unable to attend the festivities, we celebrate the occasion by linking to the full text of the new Holidays Act 2003 which takes effect from 1 April 2004.

Thursday 12th February
I imagine some people think unlimited bereavement leave starts the day they are employed. That is not correct, is it?

Tuesday 10th February
Christmas and Boxing Day this year fall on a Saturday and Sunday. I understand that in this case, Monday and Tuesday become the public holiday. In my business, the staff will work on all four of these days. What do I do?

Monday 9th February
This FAQ describes the best way to direct credit all an employee's nett pay.

Friday 6th February
New Zealand Post announced today that the price of the standard domestic postage stamp will rise by 5 cents to 45 cents from April 5.

Thursday 5th February
When does the time and a half pay rate for days in lieu take effect and is there a system in Ace for keeping track of lieu days earnt before 1 April 2004 and those earnt after?

Thursday 5th February
A tax office official in Finland who died at his desk was not found by his colleagues for two days.

Wednesday 4th February
IRD Agents Answers - February 2004 is now available online.

Tuesday 3rd February
Holidays Act 2003 - I am using the 6% of gross routine for holiday pay. Do I have to change this to 8% on 1st April 2004?

Monday 2nd February
The Department of Labour yesterday began a mail-out to 150,000 employers reminding them of Holidays Act changes that come into effect on April 1.

Friday 30th January
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand surprised with a 25 basis point rise in its official cash rate to 5.25 percent on Thursday, saying an increase was warranted to keep inflation in check.

Thursday 29th January
I have tried putting in my password several times but it wont let me into the program?

Wednesday 28th January
Recruiting a new staff member and unsure what to ask? - These 109 questions include both traditional and behavioral interview questions.

Tuesday 27th January
A Melbourne liquidator said he had seen a huge rise in the number of small businesses folding because they were unable to come to grips with the tax system.

Monday 26th January
Utilised our Site Index yet? This alphabetical index allows you to search quickly for what you are looking for on our website.

Friday 23rd January
This FAQ explains how to overwrite a PAYE deduction in Ace Payroll.

Thursday 22nd January
I have filed my payroll but forgot the direct credits. Can I create the direct credits for the bank again?

Wednesday 21st January
Small businesses unable to shoulder the cost of new holiday laws are pushing up their prices - and one unlucky couple wanting to get married on a public holiday have already fallen victim.

Tuesday 20th January
This article provides some tips on dealing with absent employees.

Monday 19th January
When I print the IRD approved IR348, the first page comes out with IR348 printed on it, but the second and subsequent pages say IR349. Why is this?

Friday 16th January
An employer cannot terminate employment without justification by simply giving written notice of termination, even if that is provided for in an employment agreement.

Thursday 15th January
Small business operators may be surprised to know that the head of the country's largest union sympathises with the fact that many feel nervous about taking on staff and getting caught up in the morass of employment law.

Wednesday 14th January
This page provides links to all holiday pay information on the Ace Payroll site, and on the site of the Employment Relations Service.

Tuesday 13th January
IRD Agents Answers - January 2004 is now available online.

Monday 12th January
Ace Payroll Version 3.21A was released last week, with tax tables updated for the next financial year, and the activation of the first of our new Holidays Act 2003 features.

Friday 9th January
As the country starts back at work, a survey shows that just over half of people believe they have enough holidays.

Thursday 8th January
The full text of the Holidays Act 2003 passed on 17th December 2003, which comes into force on 1st April 2004, converted into an easy to read browsable document by Ace Payroll.

Wednesday 7th January
The Employment Court declined a worker's application for interim reinstatement pending the outcome of her unjustified dismissal claim after work colleagues said they did not want to work with her.

Tuesday 6th January
Can you confirm that Ace Payroll correctly validates the bank account numbers for Superbank?

Monday 5th January
At least 20 South Island businesses collapsed last year under the weight of theft by employees desperate to fuel a methamphetamine habit, a security consultant says.

Friday 2nd January
An office assistant who complained of being asked to shortlist applicants for her job after being sacked has won damages of more than $9000.

Thursday 1st January
Happy New Year from all of the team at Ace Payroll. Our help desk continues to operate throughout the holiday period 8.30am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday, public holidays excepted.

Note: All news content is archived by year and accessed using the links below. Some older content may not be available - a general rule is the older the link, the less likely it is to be there. To search for information by topic rather than date, try our Alphabetical Site Index.