- Within Enter Payments window, select the select this check box if your employee is leaving and this is their final payment.
- Click OK then click Save / Next.
- Click Previous then clear Select this check box if your employee is leaving and this is their final payment.
- Click Save / Next then click Close.
- Select the required employee then click Enter Payments.
- Click the Summary tab then check the the SMP value in the Current Column.
If the value is still incorrect: - Double click the relevant employee then click the Absence tab.
- Click the S.M.P. button.
- Check if the MPP started by pregnancy related sickness checkbox is selected.
If it's selected but shouldn't be, check if this caused SMP to calculate incorrectly. If this isn't the cause, or if it's correctly selected, follow the troubleshooting guide below.
Troubleshooting guide [BCB:18:Wizard code:ECB]
To check the current SMP value, set your process date for the next pay period, select the employee > Enter Payments > Summary. Show me hownull;null;ss1 - Tasks > Payroll > Change Process Date > enter correct date > OK.
- Select the employee > Tasks > Payroll > Enter Payments > Summary.
Is there a value beside Statutory Maternity Pay in the Current column? Yesnull;null;wiz1,wiz2 Nonull;null;wiz1,wiz11 Is it the correct amount? Yesnull;null;wiz2,wiz3 Nonull;null;wiz2,wiz11 Restartnull;null;wiz2,wiz1 Is the employee receiving too much gross pay? Yesnull;null;wiz3,wiz4 Nonull;null;wiz3,wiz7 Restartnull;null;wiz3,wiz1 Should the employee receive their normal gross pay? Yesnull;null;wiz4,wiz5 Nonull;null;wiz4,wiz7 Restartnull;null;wiz4,wiz1 To ensure the employee receives their normal pay, use the MakeUpBasic option. Show me hownull;null;ss5 - Check that the value in the current column beside Pre-Tax Payments is their normal gross pay.
 TIP: If this isn't correct > Payments > amend the relevant hours or rate > Summary .
- Click MakeUpBasic > if the correct payment name appears when prompted to continue > Yes.
TIP: To choose another payment name > No > repeat this process until you have adjusted the hours for the correct payment name. - Check that the value in the current column beside Total Gross pay is correct.
Is the employee's total gross pay now correct? Yesnull;null;wiz5,wiz6 Nonull;null;wiz5,wiz8 Restartnull;null;wiz5,wiz1 The employee's pay is now correct so you can continue processing payroll. Restartnull;null;wiz6,wiz1 Should the employee receive other pay in addition to SMP? Yesnull;null;wiz7,wiz8 Nonull;null;wiz7,wiz9 Restartnull;null;wiz7,wiz1 To ensure the employee receives the correct gross pay, check and, if required, amend the hours and rates for all payments and any deductions. Show me hownull;null;ss8 - Payments > if required, amend the hours and rates for all payments.
- Deductions > if required, amend the hours and rates for any deductions.
- Click Summary.
Is the employee's pay correct? Yesnull;null;wiz8,wiz6 Nonull;null;wiz8,wiz50 Restartnull;null;wiz8,wiz1 Should the employee only receive SMP? Yesnull;null;wiz9,wiz10 Nonull;null;wiz9,wiz7 Restartnull;null;wiz9,wiz1 To ensure the employee only receives SMP, set the hours for all payments and if applicable, any deductions, to zero. Show me hownull;null;ss10 - Payments > set the hours for all payments to zero.
- Deductions > if required, set the hours for any deductions to zero.
- Click Summary.
Is the employee's pay correct? Yesnull;null;wiz10,wiz6 Nonull;null;wiz10,wiz50 Restartnull;null;wiz10,wiz1 To check the SMP calculation, close Enter Payments, open the employee's record and check the SMP information. Show me hownull;null;ss11 - Click Close.
- Select the employee > Tasks > Employee > Employee Record > Absence > S.M.P.
- Check the information in the Baby Arrival Dates area.
| Baby Arrival Dates area | Check or enter | | Expected On (EWC) | Enter the date the baby is due. Take this information from the MATB1 medical certificate or from suitable medical evidence. | | Actually Born On | If known, enter the date the baby was born.  NOTE: If the baby is born more than 11 weeks early, enter the date here and in the Additional Information area, select the MPP started by early birth check box.
| Is there a date in the Expected On (EWC) box? Yesnull;null;wiz11,wiz14 Nonull;null;wiz11,wiz12 Restartnull;null;wiz11,wiz1 SMP doesn't calculate if the Expected On (EWC) box is clear. NOTE: If you haven't yet received suitable medical evidence stating the date the baby is due, you shouldn't pay SMP to the employee. Restartnull;null;wiz12,wiz1 Until the employee leaves work and you enter a date in the Ended work for MPP box, SMP doesn't calculate and you shouldn't pay SMP to the employee. Restartnull;null;wiz13,wiz1 Check the Employment Dates area. Show me hownull;null;ss14 | Employment Dates area | Check or enter | | Started Work | This automatically updates from the Employment tab and can't be changed here. NOTE: If this date is incorrect, to change it > OK > when prompted to retain the declaration provided by the employee > OK > Employment > amend the date in the Start Date box > Save > Absence > S.M.P. | | Ended work for MPP | Enter the date the employee last worked before starting her maternity leave. NOTE: SMP cannot start until this date. The values on the Entitlement tab do not appear until you enter this date. | | Returned to Work | If the employee decides to end her maternity leave and return to work early, enter the date she returns to work. If she returns to work before the full 39 weeks of SMP is paid, she isn't entitled to receive the outstanding amount of SMP. NOTE: The employee can work for up to ten days during her MPP without losing her SMP, for example, to attend training or to do some occasional work for you. These ten days are known as keep in touch (KIT) days. | Has the employee left work to start her maternity leave yet? Yesnull;null;wiz14,wiz16 Nonull;null;wiz14,wiz13 Restartnull;null;wiz14,wiz1 Is the Manual Statutory Maternity Pay Calculations check box selected? Yesnull;null;wiz16,wiz17 Nonull;null;wiz16,wiz20 Restartnull;null;wiz16,wiz1 NOTE: Sage 50 Payroll doesn't validate manual SMP payments or count the number of weeks SMP has been paid. Therefore you must make sure that the payments you make, and the number of weeks paid, are correct. Do you want to process SMP manually? Yesnull;null;wiz17,wiz18 Nonull;null;wiz17,wiz19 Restartnull;null;wiz17,wiz1 Close the employee's record > Enter Payments > Summary > enter the required SMP amount > check the value in the Total Gross Pay box. Show me hownull;null;ss18 - Click OK > when prompted to retain the declaration provided by the employee > OK > Save > Close.
- Tasks > Payroll > Enter Payments > Summary.
- Beside Statutory Maternity Pay, click the zero value in the Current column then click the finder
 button. - Enter the required value > OK.
- Check the value in the Total Gross Pay box.
Is the employee receiving too much gross pay? Yesnull;null;wiz18,wiz4 Nonull;null;wiz18,wiz7 Restartnull;null;wiz18,wiz1 Clear the Manual Statutory Maternity Pay Calculations check box then check the Additional Information area. Show me hownull;null;ss19 | Additional Information area | Check or enter | | Medical Evidence Received | When the employee provides suitable medical evidence, such as the MATB1 medical certificate, select this check box. NOTE: If this box is clear, SMP doesn't calculate. | | MPP started by early birth | If the baby is born more than 11 weeks early, select this check box and, in the Baby Arrival Dates area in the Actually Born On box, enter the date of birth. | | MPP started by pregnancy related sickness | If the employee is absent from work due to sickness which meets either or both of the following, select this check box: - Pregnancy related sickness.
- The absence continues into, or starts within, the period starting on the Sunday of the fourth week before the baby is due.
This means that you pay SMP to the employee instead of statutory sick pay (SSP). Her SMP and leave start the day after the first complete day of absence within the four week period. | Do you have suitable medical evidence? Yesnull;null;wiz19,wiz22 Nonull;null;wiz19,wiz21 Restartnull;null;wiz19,wiz1 Check the Additional Information area. Show me hownull;null;ss20 | Additional Information area | Check or enter | | Medical Evidence Received | When the employee provides suitable medical evidence, such as the MATB1 medical certificate, select this check box. NOTE: If this box is clear, SMP doesn't calculate. | | MPP started by early birth | If the baby is born more than 11 weeks early, select this check box and, in the Baby Arrival Dates area in the Actually Born On box, enter the date of birth. | | MPP started by pregnancy related sickness | If the employee is absent from work due to sickness which meets either or both of the following, select this check box: - Pregnancy related sickness.
- The absence continues into, or starts within, the period starting on the Sunday of the fourth week before the baby is due.
This means that you pay SMP to the employee instead of statutory sick pay (SSP). Her SMP and leave start the day after the first complete day of absence within the four week period. | Do you have suitable medical evidence? Yesnull;null;wiz20,wiz22 Nonull;null;wiz20,wiz21 Restartnull;null;wiz20,wiz1 TIP: If a warning message appears > OK. If the Medical Evidence Received check box is clear, you can't pay SMP. NOTE: If you haven't yet received suitable medical evidence stating the date the baby is due, you shouldn't pay SMP to the employee. Restartnull;null;wiz21,wiz1 Check the value in the Average Weekly Gross Pay box. Show me hownull;null;ss22 | Average Weekly Gross Pay area | Check or enter | | Auto Calc | To calculate the average weekly gross pay for the employee > Auto Calc and when prompted that holiday payments made in or near the relevant period may affect the calculated average earnings > OK.
Alternatively, you can calculate and manually enter the value in this box. | Is the value in this box correct? Yesnull;null;wiz22,wiz25 Nonull;null;wiz22,wiz23 Restartnull;null;wiz22,wiz1 Click the 8 Weeks Gross tab and check or enter the values in the Payment History table. TIP: If a warning message appears > OK. Show me hownull;null;ss23 TIP: If any or all of the values are clear, for example if you recently starting using the software, to update the table manually, enter the gross pay for all the relevant periods. These must be entered as weekly values, regardless of the employee's payment frequency, for example monthly or fortnightly. To move to the next box, press the Tab key. | Payment History area | Check or enter | | Qualifying Week | To qualify for SMP, the employee's average weekly earnings must be at or above the Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) in the set period. The set period is the eight weeks prior to the qualifying week. The qualifying week is the 15th week before the baby is due. TIP: This box updates automatically when you enter a date in the Expected On (EWC) box on the Dates tab. | | TW | TW means tax week and displays the tax weeks relating to the set period. | | TM | TM means tax month and displays the tax months relating to the set period. | | Gross Pay | This is the total gross pay that is subject to tax and national insurance for the relevant tax weeks or tax months. | | Updated | This displays the process dates on which the employee's payments, for the relevant period, were processed and updated. | In the 8 Weeks Average Earnings area, is the value in the Gross Pay box at or above £123.00? Yesnull;null;wiz23,wiz25 Nonull;null;wiz23,wiz24 Restartnull;null;wiz23,wiz1 TIP: If a warning message appears > OK. If the employee's average weekly gross pay during the set period is below £123.00, she doesn't qualify for SMP. You must give her form SMP1. Restartnull;null;wiz24,wiz1 To check the employee's SMP entitlement > Entitlement. Does a warning message appear? Yesnull;null;wiz25,wiz26 Nonull;null;wiz25,wiz35 Restartnull;null;wiz25,wiz1 Is it the following message? 'Average Earnings too low.' Yesnull;null;wiz26,wiz23 Nonull;null;wiz26,wiz27 Restartnull;null;wiz26,wiz1 Is it the following message? 'No medical evidence of EWC.' Yesnull;null;wiz27,wiz21 Nonull;null;wiz27,wiz28 Restartnull;null;wiz27,wiz1 Is it the following message? 'To be eligible for payment, the employee must be employed continuously for 26 weeks before the start of the 15th week before the baby is due.' Yesnull;null;wiz28,wiz29 Nonull;null;wiz28,wiz32 Restartnull;null;wiz28,wiz1 Check the employee's start date and if they have been on trade dispute or worked during their maternity pay period (MPP). Show me hownull;null;ss29 - Dates > in the Employment Dates section, check the date in the Started Work box.
NOTE: This automatically updates from the Employment tab and cannot be changed here. If it is incorrect, to change it > OK > when prompted to retain the declaration provided by the employee > OK > Employment > amend the date in the Start Date box > Save > Absence > S.M.P. - Check the information in the No. of Weeks area as follows:
| No. of Weeks area | Check or enter | | No. Weeks Worked During MPP | The employee can work for up to ten days without losing her entitlement. These are known as keep in touch (KIT) days. The Keep in Touch Days area automatically updates when you enter KIT days into the employee's diary from Enter Payments > SSP/KIT. If the employee has used all of her KIT days, to record the number of weeks or part weeks she works whilst receiving SMP, use this box. NOTE: Entering a value in this box affects the employee's SMP entitlement. She loses one week SMP entitlement for each week or part week that she works. | | No. Weeks on Trade Dispute | If the employee has been on trade dispute since being employed by the company, enter the relevant number of weeks. Her length of service is reduced by the number of weeks absent. This may affect her entitlement to SMP because she may not meet the 26 weeks continuous employment rule. | Has the employee been continuously employed by you for 26 weeks prior to the EWC date? Yesnull;null;wiz29,wiz30 Nonull;null;wiz29,wiz31 Restartnull;null;wiz29,wiz1 To check the employee's SMP entitlement > Entitlement. Does a warning message appear? Yesnull;null;wiz30,wiz26 Nonull;null;wiz30,wiz35 Restartnull;null;wiz30,wiz1 TIP: If a warning message appears > OK. If the employee has not been continuously employed by you for 26 weeks prior to the EWC date, she doesn't qualify for SMP. You must give her form SMP1. Restartnull;null;wiz31,wiz1 Is it the following message? 'The date 'Ended work for MPP' should not be more than 11 weeks before the EWC.' Yesnull;null;wiz32,wiz33 Nonull;null;wiz32,wiz34 Restartnull;null;wiz32,wiz1 TIP: If a warning message appears > OK. Check the date in the Start of Maternity Pay Period box. If this date is incorrect > Dates > in the Ended work for MPP box, enter the correct date > Entitlement. If a warning message appears > OK. NOTE: If the employee leaves work more than 11 weeks before the EWC date, she can't be paid SMP until the date in the Start of Maternity Pay Period box. However, if the baby is born more than 11 weeks before the EWC date > Dates > enter the date the baby was born in the Actually Born On box > select the MPP started by early birth check box > Entitlement. In the Details area, are there any values in the Previously Paid boxes? Yesnull;null;wiz33,wiz36 Nonull;null;wiz33,wiz38 Restartnull;null;wiz33,wiz1 If any other message appears, make a note of it > OK. For more information about statutory payment messages, please refer to Ask Sage article . In the Details area, are there any values in the Previously Paid boxes? Yesnull;null;wiz34,wiz36 Nonull;null;wiz34,wiz38 Restartnull;null;wiz34,wiz1 In the Details area, are there any values in the Previously Paid boxes? Yesnull;null;wiz35,wiz36 Nonull;null;wiz35,wiz38 Restartnull;null;wiz35,wiz1 Is this the first SMP payment due for this pregnancy? Yesnull;null;wiz36,wiz37 Nonull;null;wiz36,wiz38 Restartnull;null;wiz36,wiz1 The number of SMP weeks for a previous pregnancy still appears. You must clear this value in the employee's year to date (YTD) values. Show me hownull;null;ss37 - OK > when prompted to retain the declaration provided by the employee > OK > Save.
- Employment > YTD Values > Statutory Payments > in the Maternity Pay area, clear the value in the Weeks SMP Paid box > OK > Save.
- Absence > S.M.P. > Entitlement.
In the Details area, are there any values in the Currently Due boxes? Yesnull;null;wiz37,wiz40 Nonull;null;wiz37,wiz51 Restartnull;null;wiz37,wiz1 If the employee has already received SMP payments for this pregnancy, the number of weeks already paid appear. TIP: If applicable, SMP is paid in part weeks. Sage 50 Payroll shows part weeks with two decimal places, based on a seven day week as follows:
.00 = Full week only
.14 = 1 day
.29 - 2 days
.43 = 3 days
.57 = 4 days
.71 = 5 days
.80 = 6 days
If these weeks aren't correct, ensure that the previous pay period has been updated. Show me hownull;null;ss38 - OK > when prompted to retain the declaration provided by the employee > OK > Save.
- History > check the last date in the Date Processed column.
NOTE: If you did not update the previous pay period, you must close the employee's record, set your process date to the previous pay period, check the employee's pay in Enter Payments and update the record. Then set your process date to the current pay period, open the employee's record > Absence > S.M.P. > Entitlement. - Absence > S.M.P. > Entitlement.
If you have just set up Sage 50 Payroll and are using it for the first time, you must enter the SMP value paid to the employee in the current tax year and the total number of weeks paid into the employee's year to date (YTD) values. Show me hownull;null;ss380 - OK > when prompted to retain the declaration provided by the employee > OK > Save.
- Employment > YTD Values > Statutory Payments > in the Maternity Pay area, enter the relevant values > OK > Save.
- Absence > S.M.P. > Entitlement.
Are the values in the Currently Due boxes correct? Yesnull;null;wiz38,wiz39 Nonull;null;wiz38,wiz40 Restartnull;null;wiz38,wiz1 If the currently due values are correct, close the Statutory Maternity Pay window and the employee's record, open Enter Payments and check if the employee is receiving the correct gross pay. Show me hownull;null;ss39 - OK > when prompted to retain the declaration provided by the employee > OK > Save > Close.
- Select the employee > Enter Payments > Summary.
- Check the value in the Total Gross Pay box.
Is the employee receiving the correct amount of gross pay? Yesnull;null;wiz39,wiz6 Nonull;null;wiz39,wiz3 Restartnull;null;wiz39,wiz1 Check the number of weeks in the Currently Due box. This calculates from the start of the maternity pay period up to the current process date, less any weeks already previously paid. TIP: If applicable, SMP is paid in part weeks. Sage 50 Payroll shows part weeks with two decimal places, based on a seven day week as follows:
.00 = Full week only
.14 = 1 day
.29 - 2 days
.43 = 3 days
.57 = 4 days
.71 = 5 days
.80 = 6 days
Is the number of weeks in the Currently Due box correct? Yesnull;null;wiz40,wiz53 Nonull;null;wiz40,wiz41 Restartnull;null;wiz40,wiz1 If the number of currently due weeks is incorrect, check that: - The previous pay period has been updated.
Show me hownull;null;ss41 - OK > when prompted to retain the declaration provided by the employee > OK > Save.
- History > check the last date in the Date Processed column.
NOTE: If you did not update the previous pay period, you must close the employee's record, set your process date to the previous pay period, check the employee's pay in Enter Payments and update the record. Then set your process date to the current pay period, open the employee's record > Absence > S.M.P. > Entitlement. - Absence > S.M.P. > Entitlement.
- Your process date is correct.
Show me hownull;null;ss410 - OK > when prompted to retain the declaration provided by the employee > OK > Save > Close.
- Tasks > Payroll > Change Process Date > enter correct date > OK.
- Select the employee > Employee Record > Absence > S.M.P. > Entitlement.
NOTE: The number of weeks currently due calculates from the start of the maternity pay period up to the current process date, less any previous weeks already paid. Is the currently due amount correct? Yesnull;null;wiz41,wiz39 Nonull;null;wiz41,wiz42 Restartnull;null;wiz41,wiz1 If the currently due amount is incorrect, check the entitlement information. Show me hownull;null;ss42 | Details | Check | | Entitlement - Higher Rate Current Year | This displays six weeks at 90% of the average weekly earnings calculated in the set period. TIP: If the first six weeks of SMP span two tax years, the weeks in each tax year appear separately as Higher Rate Prv.Yr. and Higher Rate Curr. Yr. | | Entitlement - Standard Rate Current Year | This displays the remaining entitlement at the standard legislation rate. TIP: If this spans two tax years, the weeks in each tax year appear separately as Standard Rate Prv.Yr. and Standard Rate Curr. Yr. and show the applicable rates for each tax year. | | Entitlement - Total Due | This displays the total amount of SMP due to the employee.
NOTE: If the employee returns to work before the end of the MPP, the number of standard weeks and total due is reduced. | Is the higher rate correct? Yesnull;null;wiz42,wiz43 Nonull;null;wiz42,wiz44 Restartnull;null;wiz42,wiz1 The standard rate is the lesser of £172.48 or 90% of the employee's average weekly gross pay during the set period. Is the standard rate correct? Yesnull;null;wiz43,wiz45 Nonull;null;wiz43,wiz46 Restartnull;null;wiz43,wiz1 Check the value in the Average Weekly Gross Pay box. TIP: The higher rate is 90% of the average weekly earnings calculated in the set period. Show me hownull;null;ss44 - Dates > check the value in the Average Weekly Gross Pay box.
- To recalculate this value > Auto Calc > when prompted that holiday payments made in or near the relevant period may affect the calculated average earnings > OK.
Alternatively, you can calculate and manually enter the value in this box. Is the value in this box correct? Yesnull;null;wiz44,wiz43 Nonull;null;wiz44,wiz23 Restartnull;null;wiz44,wiz1 Close the employee's record > Enter Payments > check if the employee is receiving the correct gross pay. Show me hownull;null;ss45 - OK > when prompted to retain the declaration provided by the employee > OK > Save > Close.
- Select the employee >Tasks > Payroll > Enter Payments > Summary.
- Check the value in the Total Gross Pay box.
Is the employee receiving the correct amount of gross pay? Yesnull;null;wiz45,wiz6 Nonull;null;wiz45,wiz3 Restartnull;null;wiz45,wiz1 If the standard rate is incorrect, check you are using the correct version of Sage 50 Payroll. Show me hownull;null;ss46 - OK > when prompted to retain the declaration provided by the employee > OK > Save > Close.
- Help > About.
- Check your version is v28
Are you using one of the above versions? Yesnull;null;wiz46,wiz47 Nonull;null;wiz46,wiz48 Restartnull;null;wiz46,wiz1 Close Help > About > check your SMP legislation. Show me hownull;null;ss47 - Click Close.
- Tasks > Company > Legislation > SMP/SAP/SPP.
- Check that the standard SMP rate is £172.48
Is the standard SMP rate correct? Yesnull;null;wiz47,wiz49 Nonull;null;wiz47,wiz48 Restartnull;null;wiz47,wiz1 If you are not using the correct version of Sage 50 Payroll or your legislation settings are incorrect, please contact Sage Technical Support. Restartnull;null;wiz48,wiz1 Close Legislation Settings > Enter Payments > check if the employee is receiving the correct gross pay. Show me hownull;null;ss49 - Click OK.
- Select the employee > Tasks > Payroll > Enter Payments > Summary.
- Check the value in the Total Gross Pay box.
Is the employee receiving the correct amount of gross pay? Yesnull;null;wiz49,wiz6 Nonull;null;wiz49,wiz3 Restartnull;null;wiz49,wiz1 If the SMP value is correct and you have entered any other required payments or deductions, the employee's total pay should be correct. If you think that the employee's SMP value is correct but their total gross or net pay is incorrect, ensure that all of the following are correct for the employee: - Pay frequency
- Director status
- Tax code
- NI category
- Payment
- Deduction
- Attachment
- Loan
- Pension scheme
Restartnull;null;wiz50,wiz1 Has the employee left work to start their maternity leave? Yesnull;null;wiz51,wiz52 Nonull;null;wiz51,wiz13 Restartnull;null;wiz51,wiz1 The number of weeks currently due calculates from the start of the maternity pay period up to the current process date, less any previous weeks already paid. If the date in the Start of Maternity Pay Period is prior to the date of your next pay period, you should check your process date then check the number of currently due weeks. Show me hownull;null;ss52 - OK > when prompted to retain the declaration provided by the employee > OK > Save > Close.
- Tasks > Payroll > Change Process Date > enter correct date > OK.
- Select the employee > Tasks > Employee > Employee Record > Absence > S.M.P. > Entitlement.
- Check the number of weeks in the Currently Due box.
Is the number of weeks in the Currently Due box correct? Yesnull;null;wiz52,wiz53 Nonull;null;wiz52,wiz16 Restartnull;null;wiz52,wiz1 Is the currently due amount correct? Yesnull;null;wiz53,wiz45 Nonull;null;wiz53,wiz42 Restartnull;null;wiz53,wiz1 [BCB:141:Limitless - 50 Payroll - Statutory Payments:ECB]
|