v3.5 - Payroll release for 2006/07

The next release of the HR Unity system, v3.5.0, is about to go to testing. This release will primarily be concerned with statutory payroll changes to Uniwage for the forthcoming 2006/07 tax year. Of course, we have also taken the opportunity to make other enhancements while we were there:

• The custom report writer, ReportBuilder, has been updated from v6 to v9. Whilst it remains almost exactly what you are used to already, it contains new features such as an undo/redo option, an object inspector, a rotated text label and many other small enhancements. Existing user-written reports will continue to work as before.
• Internet Filing. Part of the testing is that the end of year filing (P14 and P35) is undergoing accreditation with the Revenue (HMRC). This will form part of the Payroll Standard which we are also being reaccredited for in January 06. In addition, we will be seeking reaccreditation for the Expenses and Benefits forms for 2006/07, as well as new accreditation for the P45 Online filing.
• Internet "Outgoing" Forms. As many of you are aware, we support the Government Gateway's "Secure Messaging Service" which enables you to download, view, save and print forms issued electronically by HMRC, such as P9, P6, Student Loan notices and other notices or reminders. We have added the facility to process these forms directly into the payroll where applicable, so that tax code changes or student loans are applied when the HMRC has instructed. This will be fully logged and audited.
• Pension Schemes. A new option has been added to the Pension schemes to make them even more flexible. Where previously the pension was based on including or excluding certain types of payroll input, there is a new third option to base it on a fixed value, "Pensionable Value", which is set on each employee.

There are other smaller enhancements that were detailed in the previous entry or that you will find in the release notice for v3.5.0.

A development plan has already been set out for the first half of 2006 which will see some significant enhancements to the product. More details will be disclosed when they are available but can be expected to include:

• More advanced New Employee Wizard
• Option to perform on-the-fly payroll calculation when entering inputs so the effect can be seen immediately, as well as a payslip preview.
• Enhancements to the Unistaff Recruitment module.

Happy Christmas from the development team.