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.

Wednesday 31st December
This tutorial shows you how to pay for the New Year 1st and 2nd public holidays when an employee does not work on the public holiday but needs to be paid for it.

Tuesday 30th December
Need to move Ace Payroll to a new computer? This tutorial shows you the procedure for easily moving Ace Payroll and your data to your new computer.

Monday 29th December
This tutorial covers KiwiSaver contribution holidays including when they can be taken, what the process is and how this is handled in Ace Payroll.

Thursday 25th December
Merry Christmas from the team at Ace Payroll. Our help desk continues to operate throughout the holiday period 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday, public holidays excepted.

Wednesday 24th December
Want to see what days the public holidays fall on this year, or check public holiday dates for future years? This document shows you how.

Tuesday 23rd December
This tutorial shows you how to pay for Xmas / New Year public holidays when an employee works on one of these public holidays.

Monday 22nd December
This tutorial covers how the Xmas and New Year statutory holidays are handled this year, with them falling on a Thursday and Friday.

Friday 19th December
Paying a Christmas bonus this year? This document shows you how to do this easily in Ace Payroll.

Thursday 18th December
This tutorial shows you how to pay for the Xmas / New Year public holidays when an employee does not work on the public holiday but needs to be paid for it.

Wednesday 17th December
This document shows you how to itemise the actual dates taken off by employees over the Xmas / New Year period.

Tuesday 16th December
This document shows you how to tax a lump sum - such as multiple weeks worth of holiday pay that is paid at once - to ensure you do not over tax your staff this Christmas season.

Monday 15th December
Having a compulsory closedown this Christmas? This tutorial shows you how to handle an Annual Compulsory Closedown in Ace Payroll.

Saturday 13th December
IRD Payroll News Issue 113 December 2008

Friday 12th December
Has someone given you a list of nett bonuses to pay, leaving you with no idea about how to tax them? Earlier this year we rewrote our Extra Emolument routine making it easy to work back from a nett amount - this document shows you how.

Thursday 11th December
Want to see what days the public holidays fall on this year, or check public holiday dates for future years? This document shows you how.

Wednesday 10th December
This document shows you how to give an employee their Alternative Holiday, which they can take later on. You would do this if the employee was working on a public holiday.

Tuesday 9th December
This tutorial shows you how to pay for Xmas / New Year public holidays when an employee works on one of these public holidays.

Monday 8th December
This tutorial covers how the Xmas and New Year statutory holidays are handled this year, with them falling on a Thursday and Friday.

Friday 5th December
Staff members going to work Christmas parties this season could wake up with more than just a hangover, with infidelities "rampant'' during the silly season, a private investigator warns.

Thursday 4th December
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.

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

Tuesday 2nd December
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 1st December
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 28th November
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.

Thursday 27th November
The Inland Revenue Department is the creditor that pushes businesses under in around 60 per cent of cases when a company is liquidated by the courts. And as economic hard times bite, the taxman is urging businesses to come forward as soon as they find themselves in difficulties.

Wednesday 26th November
Regarding my staff who join KiwiSaver, do I need to load their nominated scheme provider into the Ace Payroll system?

Tuesday 25th November
Ace Payroll is sometimes asked what the difference is between a casual and a part time employee.

Monday 24th November
A fact sheet covering Bereavement Leave under the Holidays Act 2003, from the Employment Relations Service website.

Friday 21st November
The IR880 Paid Parental Leave Application form is filled in by the employee and given to the employer to complete when paid parental leave is applied for. This PDF document opens in a new browser window.

Thursday 20th November
This FAQ explains how to overwrite a PAYE or student loan deduction in Ace Payroll.

Wednesday 19th November
I want to contribute more than the minimum 1% to any employee who joins KiwiSaver. How do I do this in Ace Payroll?

Tuesday 18th November
Looking for a better way to handle KiwiSaver and all your other payroll needs? Download a demo version today and see why so many companies are making the switch to the cheaper, easier and better supported payroll system.

Monday 17th November
Is there a facility in Ace Payroll where I can check when public holidays fall, in this, and future years?

Friday 14th 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.

Thursday 13th November
The IRD have asked me to include all of my staff on the monthly schedule, even the ones who are not being paid this month. Is this possible in Ace Payroll?

Wednesday 12th November
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 11th November
Advisers Mercer expect many employers to welcome National's proposed "two plus two" KiwiSaver model given business constraints and the tightening of the economy.

Monday 10th November
When it comes to the office Christmas party, are you Mr Boring, Ms Maneater or Mr Sleaze?

Friday 7th November
What are the different ways to access employee details from anywhere in Ace Payroll?

Thursday 6th November
Having a compulsory closedown this year? Make sure you tax lump sums paid to your staff correctly - this document shows you how.

Wednesday 5th November
Tax paid on KiwiSaver nest eggs will dwarf the value of government incentives offered to join the scheme, under current tax rules, says consulting and investment firm Mercer.

Tuesday 4th November
IRD Payroll News Issue 112 November 2008

Monday 3rd November
What different types of payslips are available for the Ace Payroll system? How do I go about ordering them?

Friday 31st October
One of my staff wants to have their wages paid straight to their credit card. How do I set this up in Ace Payroll?

Thursday 30th October
I have accidentally filed a pay for an employee and it is showing on my reports. How do I delete it?

Wednesday 29th October
My employee worked on Labour Day. I understand that I need to pay him time and a half and give him an alternative holiday, how do I do this in Ace Payroll?

Tuesday 28th October
Moving onto IR-File or considering it? This document shows you how to create the file in Ace Payroll and how to navigate the IRD website to import the file.

Monday 27th October
Ace Payroll wishes all clients a happy and hopefully relaxing Labour Day. This document shows you how to pay for the Labour Day public holiday in Ace Payroll.

Friday 24th October
The Reserve Bank today reduced the Official Cash Rate (OCR) from 7.5 percent to 6.5 percent.

Thursday 23rd October
Dun & Bradstreet's latest analysis of payment terms shows businesses took an average 46.2 days to pay in the three months to September, more than two weeks longer than the standard 30-day term.

Wednesday 22nd October
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?

Tuesday 21st October
Need to move Ace Payroll to a new computer? This tutorial shows you the procedure for easily moving Ace Payroll and your data to your new computer.

Monday 20th October
My employee wants to pay back more than the minimum student loan so has asked me to increase the amount I deduct each week. How is this done in Ace Payroll?

Friday 17th October
On 1st October 2008 all employees received a tax cut due to the new rates. The only exceptions are contractors or staff on fixed percentage rates such as S codes. The new rates are itemised on this page.

Thursday 16th October
Written initially for prospective clients, this explanation of the different routines in Ace Payroll designed to provide data security should be of interest to current users who wish to be prepared should disaster ever strike!

Wednesday 15th October
Is it possible to handle multiple frequencies in Ace Payroll, for example some people being paid weekly and others being paid fortnightly?

Tuesday 14th October
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 13th October
IRD Payroll News Issue 111 October 2008 is now available to read at the IRD website.

Friday 10th October
In our latest version, we added the ability to print the new Summary report by department, extended the length of the email address field for emailed payslips at the request of clients and made other minor changes. Click here for the full version history and download instructions.

Thursday 9th October
A farm manager sacked after a torrent of verbal abuse from his boss has been awarded more than $7000 in lost remuneration and compensation by the Employment Relations Authority.

Wednesday 8th October
Finance Minister Michael Cullen and Revenue Minister Peter Dunne announced today that the Cabinet yesterday agreed to a new, bottom secondary tax rate of 12.5 per cent. The new rate comes into effect on 1 April 2010.

Tuesday 7th October
Frustrated KiwiSaver investors are furious there are still major delays in processing their employer contributions more than six months after the incentive kicked in.

Monday 6th October
All employees in KiwiSaver are eligible to an annual tax credit to a maximum of $1042.86 a year. The tax credit is claimed by the KiwiSaver provider, and paid directly by the IRD to the KiwiSaver provider. This document explains how the employee tax credit works.

Friday 3rd October
I made KiwiSaver contributions for an individual which I now need to reverse because they have opted out. How can I do this in Ace Payroll?

Friday 3rd October
A construction company employee has won thousands in compensation after being subjected to workplace antics such as "dry humping" and "genital flicking".

Thursday 2nd October
Some people did not get salary payments overnight because of a problem with ANZ National's "Direct Online" corporate banking system. "Owing to an operator error during the bank's overnight batch processing last night, a number of payments were not made," the bank said.

Wednesday 1st October
In this article we look at the calculation of Relevant Daily Pay for an employee that works irregular hours. We examine both the legislation as well as what you need to do to handle this requirement in Ace Payroll.

Tuesday 30th September
This document shows how to record stat days for employees that do not work on these days but need to be paid for them.

Monday 29th September
A bill to allow shift workers to transfer their public holidays was passed last week. The Holidays (Transfer of Public Holidays) Amendment Bill affects workers whose shift crossed midnight on a public holiday.

Sunday 28th September
Set your clocks forward one hour, today, Sunday 28th September. If staff are employed during the transition, our Daylight Saving and the Time Act 1975 clarifies the situation.

Friday 26th September
Most people spend more than 25 per cent of their time online at work on personal activities.

Thursday 25th September
In our latest version, we made subtle changes to the Miscellaneous report, the Summary report, deleting emailed payslips, KiwiSaver for Under 18's, KiwiSaver totals only reporting and the KiwiSaver Contributions Holiday routines. Click here for the full version history and download instructions.

Wednesday 24th September
I am trying to email my payslips but I get error messages and the payslips don't send. Our emails go through a server, and we use Microsoft Exchange Server.

Tuesday 23rd September
This tutorial covers KiwiSaver contribution holidays including when they can be taken, what the process is and how this is handled in Ace Payroll.

Monday 22nd September
Set your clocks forward one hour next Sunday 28th September. If staff are employed during the transition, our Daylight Saving and the Time Act 1975 clarifies the situation.

Friday 19th September
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.

Thursday 18th September
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.

Wednesday 17th September
An old employee has come back to work for me again. How do I resume them in Ace Payroll?

Tuesday 16th September
I'm getting asked by current employees if they can opt in to KiwiSaver. Are they able to do this, and how can I make this happen in Ace Payroll?

Monday 15th September
In our latest version, we rewrote the Miscellaneous report, improving the layout, allowing it to be printed per department and adding a lot of other new functionality to it. Feedback welcome. Click here for the full version history and download instructions.

Friday 12th September
On 1st October 2008 all employees receive a tax cut due to the new rates. The only exceptions are contractors or staff on fixed percentage rates. The new rates are itemised on this page.

Thursday 11th September
When I go to calculate my regular payroll it shows last weeks pay date. What is wrong?

Wednesday 10th September
The government will introduce a law change to ensure that the death of one of the spouses in a husband and wife partnership does not give rise to immediate tax consequences, Revenue Minister Peter Dunne announced today.

Tuesday 9th September
IRD Payroll News Issue 110 September 2008

Monday 8th September
In our latest version we added a new banking interface for Westpac Business Online and a new tax code that makes it easier to comply with a specified percentage request where the IRD specify both the tax and student loan rate. Click here for full version history and download instructions.

Friday 5th September
A Pakistani dairy owner told Inland Revenue he had not paid nearly $200,000 in tax because "where I come from we didn't have to pay tax".

Thursday 4th September
The prescribed rate used to calculate fringe benefit tax on low-interest, employment-related loans will rise from 10.57% to 10.90% from 1 October, Revenue Minister Peter Dunne announced recently.

Wednesday 3rd September
A surge in workplace strikes could hit New Zealand because of tough economic conditions, an employment relations specialist says.

Tuesday 2nd September
The IR881 Paid Parental Leave Transfer form is filled in by the employee and given to the employer to complete when they want to transfer some of their paid parental leave to their partner. This PDF document opens in a new browser window.

Monday 1st September
The IRD is an easy target. Nobody enjoys filling out a tax return and nearly everyone has a horror story about the bureaucratic nightmare the taxation process can become. The department does a difficult job and there will always be complaints.

Friday 29th August
In our latest version, we have altered our Backup & Restore routines to make folder selection and backing up easier, especially for clients using memory sticks. We improved many help messages as well as the object that is used in any routine where a drive or folder is being selected.

Thursday 28th August
Accountants say the Inland Revenue Department is so overloaded with new initiatives such as KiwiSaver that other taxation work is getting put on the back burner.

Wednesday 27th August
The IR880 Paid Parental Leave Application form is filled in by the employee and given to the employer to complete when paid parental leave is applied for. This PDF document opens in a new browser window.

Tuesday 26th August
From 1st April 2008 the adult rate is $12.00 an hour, and applies to all workers 18 years and over. The youth minimum for employees aged 16 and 17 years ceases from 1 April 2008 and is replaced by a new entrants minimum hourly rate of $9.60, or 80 per cent of the adult minimum wage.

Monday 25th August
I have discovered an error with a previous monthly return that I sent to the IRD using ir-file. How do I correct this error with the IRD?

Friday 22nd August
I want to start emailing payslips to my staff - how do I get started setting this up?

Thursday 21st August
Thousands of dollars invested in KiwiSaver by people who die before retirement age may be left sitting on ice because the legal costs of getting the money out could be more than is in the fund, says a superannuation expert.

Wednesday 20th August
What different types of payslips are available for the Ace Payroll system? How do I go about ordering them?

Tuesday 19th August
In our latest version, we have rewritten the Summary Report to try and make it easier to get an overview of payments, then easily drill down to see sub-reports of the data. Instructions for obtaining this version are here.

Monday 18th August
I have deductions set up for many of my staff. Some of these deductions are linked to a bank account, but some (such as "Repayment of Advance") are not. How can I see which deductions have been direct credited?

Friday 15th August
Looking for new payroll software? Our testimonials page contains comments made by our clients every day. Due to the number of testimonials, this page may take a moment to load.

Thursday 14th August
More than one in eight people in KiwiSaver are under 18, prompting a fund manager to suggest scrapping the $1000 kick-start for that age group to fund tax cuts.

Wednesday 13th August
Are you a Kiwibank customer? You can now create a file in Ace Payroll and import it into their new business banking system. Instructions for obtaining this version are here.

Tuesday 12th August
Earnings Certificates provide your employees with a record of their earnings, tax payments and deductions for the financial year selected.

Monday 11th August
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.

Friday 8th August
Once opted into KiwiSaver it is possible for an employee to apply for a Contributions Holiday. This document covers how this is administered and how this is handled in Ace Payroll.

Thursday 7th August
Is there any way I can show KiwiSaver YTD totals on the payslip, so that my staff can know how much has been contributed to KiwiSaver?

Wednesday 6th August
Information matching between Inland Revenue and New Zealand Customs for the purpose of recovering outstanding child support debt will begin at the end of the week, Revenue Minister Peter Dunne announced today.

Tuesday 5th August
The Human Rights Commission have produced an A to Z guide covering what questions should and shouldn't be asked during the pre-employment process. This PDF document opens in a new browser window.

Monday 4th August
Millions of dollars in KiwiSaver contributions remain unprocessed a year after the scheme began.

Friday 1st August
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.

Thursday 31st July
How to search for an employee on the Ace Payroll employee index.

Wednesday 30th July
A parliamentary select committee has recommended a bill putting workers' rights to rest and meal breaks and infant feeding breaks into law.

Tuesday 29th July
Looking for a better way to handle KiwiSaver and all your other payroll needs? Download a demo version today and see why so many companies are making the switch to the cheaper, easier and better supported payroll system.

Monday 28th 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.

Friday 25th July
A young female apprentice has been awarded $20,000 after her employers mishandled an allegation she made about being sexually assaulted at a work function.

Thursday 24th July
Unable to get hold of copies of the KS3 KiwiSaver Employee Information Pack? This document is in PDF format and opens in a new browser window.

Wednesday 23rd July
Reports of delays in employer contributions coming into KiwiSaver schemes has some questioning whether money is being lost in the system.

Tuesday 22nd July
Insecurity and redundancies have seen job-seekers flood the recruitment market to fight for a smaller number of vacancies.

Monday 21st July
From 1 July 2008, employees who have caring responsibilities have the statutory “right to request” flexible working arrangements. This guide from the Employment Relations Service sets out how this legislation works in practical terms.

Friday 18th July
Moving onto IR-File or considering it? This document shows you how to create the file in Ace Payroll and how to navigate the IRD website to import the file.

Thursday 17th July
Moves to make it unlawful for employers to pay different amounts to KiwiSaver members and those not in the scheme will add uncertainty to wage bargaining, Business NZ says.

Wednesday 16th July
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?

Tuesday 15th July
How do I show employee IRD numbers on the payslip?

Monday 14th July
The Inland Revenue Department has seized control of payments to 20 horticultural contracting companies around New Zealand suspected of being involved in a tax evasion scheme, leaving hundreds of workers with no incomes and some growers without labour.

Friday 11th July
The Wages Protection Act governs the way in which wages are paid, the making of deductions, and recovery of over payments.

Thursday 10th July
Regarding my staff who join KiwiSaver, do I need to load their nominated scheme provider into the Ace Payroll system?

Wednesday 9th July
More firms are still intending to hire rather than fire in the next six months, but the employment picture is worse than it was six months ago, the latest survey by recruitment firm Hudson shows.

Tuesday 8th July
The deemed rate of return for taxing foreign investment fund interests has been set at 10.87% for the 2007-08 income year, up from 10.27% for 2006-07, Revenue Minister Peter Dunne announced today.

Monday 7th July
Ace Payroll is sometimes asked what the difference is between a casual and a part time employee.

Friday 4th July
Recruiting a new staff member and unsure what to ask? - These 109 questions include both traditional and behavioral interview questions.

Thursday 3rd July
I want to contribute more than the minimum 1% to any employee who joins KiwiSaver. How do I do this in Ace Payroll?

Wednesday 2nd July
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 1st July
This FAQ explains how to overwrite a PAYE or student loan deduction in Ace Payroll.

Monday 30th June
A technical problem in allowing KiwiSaver funds to be used for mortgage payments has inadvertently exposed a widespread banking rort allowing excessive interest charges on credit cards and personal loans.

Friday 27th June
A man who swindled the Inland Revenue Department of $683,000 has been jailed for two years and six months.

Thursday 26th June
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 25th June
All employees in KiwiSaver are eligible to an annual tax credit to a maximum of $1042.86 a year. The tax credit is claimed by the KiwiSaver provider, and paid directly by the IRD to the KiwiSaver provider. This document explains how the employee tax credit works.

Tuesday 24th June
Fund inflows into KiwiSaver products have provided welcome protection from the headwinds buffeting New Zealand's financial services sector.

Monday 23rd June
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 20th June
Is there a facility in Ace Payroll where I can check when public holidays fall, in this, and future years?

Thursday 19th June
The IRD have sent me a Special Tax Code Certificate asking me to deduct tax for my employee at a rate of 21 percent including the ACC Earner Premium. How do I do this in Ace Payroll?

Wednesday 18th June
Under what circumstances are we to exclude school students, contractors and companies from the IR348?

Tuesday 17th June
Is it possible to handle multiple frequencies in Ace Payroll, for example some people being paid weekly and others being paid fortnightly?

Monday 16th June
A fully-fuelled company car is worth $4000 more than a year ago - and businesses are trimming salaries to claw cash back, writes Esther Harward.

Friday 13th June
A woman charged with sending her boss hate-mail told a colleague she hoped the boss would die because she wanted to go to her funeral and laugh, a court has been told.

Thursday 12th June
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.

Wednesday 11th June
An old employee has come back to work for me again. How do I resume them in Ace Payroll?

Tuesday 10th June
I made KiwiSaver contributions for an individual which I now need to reverse because they have opted out. How can I do this in Ace Payroll?

Monday 9th June
IRD Payroll News issue 107 May/June 2008

Friday 6th June
Parental leave payments will increase on July 1 from $391.28 to $407.36 per week.

Thursday 5th June
I have accidentally filed a pay for an employee and it is showing on my reports. How do I delete it?

Wednesday 4th June
Strike action has been lifted by 750 Department of Labour staff after progress was made in negotiations between the department and the Public Services Association (PSA) today.

Tuesday 3rd June
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.

Monday 2nd June
Today is the Queen's Birthday public holiday. This document shows you how to pay for this public holiday using Ace Payroll.

Friday 30th May
My employee wants to pay back more than the minimum student loan so has asked me to increase the amount I deduct each week. How is this done in Ace Payroll?

Thursday 29th May
From 1st April 2008 the adult rate is $12.00 an hour, and applies to all workers 18 years and over. The youth minimum for employees aged 16 and 17 years ceases from 1 April 2008 and is replaced by a new entrants minimum hourly rate of $9.60, or 80 per cent of the adult minimum wage.

Wednesday 28th May
Microsoft New Zealand is reviewing its employees' remuneration contracts after a former senior account manager took out a lawsuit against the firm.

Tuesday 27th May
Written initially for prospective clients, this explanation of the different routines in Ace Payroll designed to provide data security should be of interest to current users who wish to be prepared should disaster ever strike!

Monday 26th May
Britain's Daily Mail reports that some companies are using a new generation of voice-analysis systems to detect whether someone is lying when they call in sick.

Friday 23rd May
Personal tax cuts to take effect from 1 October this year were announced in Budget 2008. The bottom personal tax rate will be reduced from 15% to 12.5%, and the thresholds at which personal rates apply are to be raised.

Thursday 22nd May
What different types of payslips are available for the Ace Payroll system? How do I go about ordering them?

Wednesday 21st May
Looking for a better way to handle KiwiSaver and all your other payroll needs? Download a demo version today and see why so many companies are making the switch to the cheaper, easier and better supported payroll system.

Tuesday 20th May
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".

Monday 19th May
I'm getting asked by current employees if they can opt in to KiwiSaver. Are they able to do this, and how can I make this happen in Ace Payroll?

Friday 16th May
In this article we look at the calculation of Relevant Daily Pay for an employee that works irregular hours. We examine both the legislation as well as what you need to do to handle this requirement in Ace Payroll.

Thursday 15th May
What are the different ways to access employee details from anywhere in Ace Payroll?

Wednesday 14th May
The dismissal of an "unpunctual, sloppy, distracted" employee who used the internet excessively was unjustified because he did not know his job was in jeopardy, the Employment Relations Authority says.

Tuesday 13th May
Moving onto IR-File or considering it? This document shows you how to create the file in Ace Payroll and how to navigate the IRD website to import the file.

Monday 12th May
A rookie beauty therapist who was fired for being incompetent and exaggerating her skills on her CV has been awarded $4000 by the Employment Relations Authority.

Friday 9th May
I want to start emailing payslips to my staff - how do I get started setting this up?

Thursday 8th May
A man has been ordered to pay a woman almost $18,000 for sexually harassing her while she was working for him.

Wednesday 7th May
When I go to calculate my regular payroll it shows last weeks pay date. What is wrong?

Tuesday 6th May
I am trying to email my payslips but I get error messages and the payslips don't send. Our emails go through a server, and we use Microsoft Exchange Server.

Monday 5th May
The rising costs of living are prompting calls for pay increases, but employers say high prices are hitting businesses too and workers will have to push hard for a raise.

Friday 2nd May
I hear that the employer has to contribute 1% to KiwiSaver from 1st April 2008. How does this work in Ace Payroll?

Thursday 1st May
The uncertain future of KiwiSaver under a National-led government is putting off wealthy investors, a new survey shows.

Wednesday 30th April
Regarding my staff who will want to join KiwiSaver, do I need to load their nominated scheme provider into the Ace Payroll system?

Tuesday 29th April
The IRD have asked me to include all of my staff on the monthly schedule, even the ones who are not being paid this month. Is this possible in Ace Payroll?

Monday 28th April
I sat down to write this column about an employment issue raised by a book group member. A call interrupted me, asking for urgent help.

Friday 25th April
Anzac Day is held on 25 April each year to commemorate New Zealanders killed in war. This document shows you how to pay for the Anzac Day public holiday in Ace Payroll.

Thursday 24th April
Unable to get hold of copies of the KS3 KiwiSaver Employee Information Pack? This document is in PDF format and opens in a new browser window.

Wednesday 23rd April
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.

Tuesday 22nd April
Once opted into KiwiSaver it is possible for an employee to apply for a Contributions Holiday. This document covers how this is administered and how this is handled in Ace Payroll.

Monday 21st April
Four out of five KiwiSaver providers will not exist within five to 10 years, an industry leader says.

Friday 18th April
The government announced today that it will proceed with the introduction next year of a voluntary payroll giving system that will enable people to donate to charitable and philanthropic causes through work-based payroll deductions.

Thursday 17th April
Is there any way I can show KiwiSaver YTD totals on the payslip, so that my staff can know how much has been contributed to KiwiSaver?

Wednesday 16th April
Absence due to ill health is a source of frequent concern and expense in the workplace. There are employees who regularly call in sick on a Monday and the employer suspects a duvet day or "big weekend" might be the cause.

Tuesday 15th April
I have discovered an error with a previous monthly return that I sent to the IRD using ir-file. How do I correct this error with the IRD?

Monday 14th April
Looking for new payroll software? Our testimonials page contains comments made by our clients every day. Due to the number of testimonials, this page may take a moment to load.

Friday 11th April
Earnings Certificates provide your employees with a record of their earnings, tax payments and deductions for the financial year selected.

Thursday 10th 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.

Wednesday 9th April
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 8th April
I have deductions set up for many of my staff. Some of these deductions are linked to a bank account, but some (such as "Repayment of Advance") are not. How can I see which deductions have been direct credited?

Monday 7th April
From 1 April 2008 employers will be partially reimbursed for their KiwiSaver contribution with a matching tax credit up to a maximum of $20 per week per employee. The tax credit is claimed by the employer on the PAYE return IR345.

Friday 4th April
Cement maker Holcim New Zealand was today ordered to pay $55,000 for the death of a contractor's employee at the Cape Foulwind quarry last year.

Thursday 3rd April
An existing employee wants to opt into the KiwiSaver scheme. How do I do this in Ace Payroll?

Wednesday 2nd April
Candidates need to pay more attention to their personal image during job interviews if they want to be successful, says a leading recruiter.

Tuesday 1st April
Recruiting a new staff member and unsure what to ask? - These 109 questions include both traditional and behavioral interview questions.

Monday 31st March
This page covers all of the KiwiSaver changes that commence 1 April 2008 and also links to our February 2008 Upgrade Newsletter which documents the new features to handle these changes in Ace Payroll.

Friday 28th March
Looking for a better way to handle KiwiSaver and all your other payroll needs? Download a demo version today and see why so many companies are making the switch to the cheaper, easier and better supported payroll system.

Thursday 27th March
From 1st April 2008 the adult rate is $12.00 an hour, and applies to all workers 18 years and over. The youth minimum for employees aged 16 and 17 years ceases from 1 April 2008 and is replaced by a new entrants minimum hourly rate of $9.60, or 80 per cent of the adult minimum wage.

Wednesday 26th March
Earnings Certificates provide your employees with a record of their earnings, tax payments and deductions for the financial year selected.

Tuesday 25th March
A Government law change will require employers to provide breaks and facilities for mothers to breastfeed.

Monday 24th March
My business was closed for the Easter public holidays and I need to pay my staff for these. How do I handle this in Ace Payroll?

Friday 21st March
Need to pay staff time and a half and an alternative holiday for working on one of the Easter public holidays? This document shows you how.

Thursday 20th March
KiwiSaver contributions from as far back as August have not been allocated to hundreds of savers' accounts because of an information breakdown between Inland Revenue and fund manager ING.

Wednesday 19th March
The Government's accounts are in better shape than previously thought after tax officials today admitted making a $600 million blunder.

Tuesday 18th March
Turn your clocks back one hour on Sunday 6th April. If staff are employed during the transition, our Daylight Saving and the Time Act 1974 section clarifies the situation.

Monday 17th March
When does Easter fall this year? I always get confused about which Easter days are public holidays and which are not - help!

Friday 14th March
A refresher on the new tax rules for offshore investment in shares. These rules apply for the current financial year ending 31st March 2008.

Thursday 13th March
An employers' group is irate about what it claims are anomalies and complexities in the law governing KiwiSaver, causing red tape headaches for bosses.

Wednesday 12th March
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.

Tuesday 11th March
The Wages Protection Act governs the way in which wages are paid, the making of deductions, and recovery of over payments.

Monday 10th March
How do I show employee IRD numbers on the payslip?

Friday 7th March
I have to reverse and refund a KiwiSaver contribution for an employee who had it deducted from their pay but has subsequently opted out. How can I reverse it from my IRD return and give the money back to the employee this pay?

Thursday 6th March
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?

Wednesday 5th March
I want to contribute more than the minimum 1% to any employee who joins KiwiSaver. How do I do this in Ace Payroll?

Tuesday 4th March
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 3rd March
An extra $20 a week through tax cuts would make a difference for half of New Zealanders, Research New Zealand polling shows.

Friday 29th February
Ace Payroll releases an upgrade CD each year, and we are often asked when is the best time to install the upgrade.

Thursday 28th February
When I go to calculate my regular payroll it shows last weeks pay date. What is wrong?

Wednesday 27th February
The interest rate on student loans for the 2008-09 tax year has been set at 6.7%, down from 6.8%, Revenue Minister Peter Dunne announced today.

Tuesday 26th February
Small businesses are hunkering down in the face of pressure from interest rates and fuel prices, with optimism going only as far as their front counters.

Monday 25th February
Looking for a better way to handle KiwiSaver and all your other payroll needs? Download a demo version today and see why so many companies are making the switch to the cheaper, easier and better supported payroll system.

Friday 22nd February
I have accidentally filed a pay for an employee and it is showing on my reports. How do I delete it?

Thursday 21st February
Is there a facility in Ace Payroll where I can check when public holidays fall, in this, and future years?

Wednesday 20th February
What different types of payslips are available for the Ace Payroll system? How do I go about ordering them?

Tuesday 19th February
From 1st April 2008 the adult rate is $12.00 an hour, and applies to all workers 18 years and over. The youth minimum for employees aged 16 and 17 years ceases from 1 April 2008 and is replaced by a new entrants minimum hourly rate of $9.60, or 80 per cent of the adult minimum wage.

Monday 18th February
Earnings Certificates provide your employees with a record of their earnings, tax payments and deductions for the financial year selected.

Friday 15th February
From 1 April 2008 employers will be partially reimbursed for their KiwiSaver contribution with a matching tax credit up to a maximum of $20 per week per employee. The tax credit is claimed by the employer on the PAYE return IR345.

Thursday 14th February
Ace Payroll extend their kindest regards to all clients, suppliers and staff on Valentine's Day. Thank you for being in our lives.

Wednesday 13th February
The government is to extend interest-free loans to people studying full-time overseas as part of formal exchange programmes, the Minister of Revenue Peter Dunne announced today.

Tuesday 12th February
This FAQ explains how to overwrite a PAYE or student loan deduction in Ace Payroll.

Monday 11th February
I want to contribute more than the minimum 1% to any employee who joins KiwiSaver. How do I do this in Ace Payroll?

Friday 8th February
Is it possible to handle multiple frequencies in Ace Payroll, for example some people being paid weekly and others being paid fortnightly?

Thursday 7th February
IRD have released the Bandhigga KiwiSaver KS37 booklet, a Somali translation of the Introducing KiwiSaver booklet. The PDF file opens in a new window.

Wednesday 6th February
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.

Tuesday 5th February
All employees in KiwiSaver are eligible to an annual tax credit to a maximum of $1042.86 a year. The tax credit is claimed by the KiwiSaver provider, and paid directly by the IRD to the KiwiSaver provider. This document explains how the employee tax credit works.

Monday 4th February
Waitangi Day falls on Wednesday 6th February. This document shows you how to pay your staff for the Waitangi Day public holiday in Ace Payroll.

Friday 1st February
Businesses will be expected to teach workers reading, writing and maths under a complex new plan to raise the skills of the workforce.

Thursday 31st January
I have to reverse and refund a KiwiSaver contribution for an employee who had it deducted from their pay but has subsequently opted out. How can I reverse it from my IRD return and give the money back to the employee this pay?

Wednesday 30th January
The Press reported yesterday on a Christchurch man who had had $800 deducted from his wages since July without it being forwarded to his nominated provider. A spokesman for Finance Minister Michael Cullen said the complaints were "teething problems".

Tuesday 29th January
How do I pay an employee for Auckland Anniversary day if my business was closed for the day and Monday is a day they would normally work?

Monday 28th January
The Anniversary Weekend usually means a sunny day off work for most Aucklanders, but whether it means they are better workers when they go back to work is debatable.

Friday 25th January
Under what circumstances are we to exclude school students, contractors and companies from the IR348?

Thursday 24th January
I hear that the employer has to contribute 1% to KiwiSaver from 1st April 2008. Will Ace Payroll handle these changes, and can you explain the changes to me?

Wednesday 23rd January
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.

Tuesday 22nd January
One of my staff wants to have their wages paid straight to their credit card. How do I set this up in Ace Payroll?

Monday 21st January
An Employers and Manufacturers Association survey shows a majority of employers plan to stick to the statutory minimum of a 1 per cent employer contribution to KiwiSaver come April 1.

Friday 18th January
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.

Thursday 17th January
Some of the new staff I hire are wanting to opt out of KiwiSaver. How do I go about doing this in Ace Payroll?

Wednesday 16th January
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.

Tuesday 15th January
The owner of a small German computer company has fired three non-smoking workers because they were threatening to disturb the peace after they requested a smoke-free environment.

Monday 14th January
KiwiSaver has so far been a KiwiLoser, eroding more wealth than it is creating, figures from default provider ING show.

Friday 11th January
I want to start emailing payslips to my staff - how do I get started setting this up?

Thursday 10th January
Two people who left their jobs without giving notice have been ordered to pay their employer four weeks wages.

Wednesday 9th January
An old employee has come back to work for me again. How do I resume them in Ace Payroll?

Tuesday 8th January
My employee wants to pay back more than the minimum student loan so has asked me to increase the amount I deduct each week. How is this done in Ace Payroll?

Monday 7th January
I employ about 30 staff and all of them have internet access. I monitor their internet use. My IT person has told me that in the weeks before Xmas internet use by my staff heavily increased. I'm concerned they were spending work time surfing the internet to do their Xmas shopping. What can I do to prevent this sort of thing happening?

Friday 4th January
The IRD have recently changed the layout of the screens you will see when using IR-File so we have updated our IR-File Made Simple document to reflect these changes to the procedure.

Thursday 3rd January
From 1st April 2008 the adult rate is $12.00 an hour, and applies to all workers 18 years and over. The youth minimum for employees aged 16 and 17 years ceases from 1 April 2008 and is replaced by a new entrants minimum hourly rate of $9.60, or 80 per cent of the adult minimum wage.

Wednesday 2nd January
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?

Tuesday 1st January
Happy New Year from Ace Payroll. Our help desk continues to operate throughout the holiday period 8.30am to 5.30pm 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.