Salary confidentiality

Overview

If salaries are required to be kept confidential, there are multiple ways within TaxLab to do this. User permissions can be customised so that some or all users do not have access to cash pay figures. Salary information can also be tagged confidential when imported. And internal confidentiality procedures at an organisation can be designed so that data imported to TaxLab maintains employee confidentiality.

Restrict user permissions to hide cash pay

User access to FBT data can be specifically allocated, so if there are users that do not need access, they do not need to have it allocated (i.e. they are only allocated access to INC). For users that require access the entity’s FBT return but not to cash pay figures, restricted access can be allocated.  To restrict access to cash pay;

1. From the TaxLab home screen, select the name of the entity.
2. From the entity home screen, select the Users tab.
3. Either add a new user, or select an existing user.
4. Select either FBT only or Standard, then select Cash Pay is Hidden from the dropdown in the FBT column.

Read more about user permissions here: Overview of users.

Cap salaries for confidentiality during import

When importing salary data, users can select Maximise imported salaries to the top tax band from the Confidentiality drop-down list. The software will review the salary data, capping any cash pay figures above the top tax band at the top tax band amount. Cash pay amounts below the top tax band will remain unchanged. The cash pay cap has a minimal effect on the calculations.

1. From the FBT calculation, in the navigation bar select Workpapers > Employees
2. From the employees screen, select Import.
3. Paste the data in from the FBT import Microsoft Excel sheet.

For 2021 and earlier, the top tax band was $70,000. Salaries imported for these years would be capped at this amount. From 2022 onwards, any imported salaries over $180,000 are capped at that amount.

Remove salary details from printed reports

By default, salaries are printed in PDF reports. You can turn this off in the print options.

1. From the FBT calculation, in the navigation bar select the printer icon.
2. Select Print Options.
3. Uncheck Print salary.

Internal organisation confidentiality procedures

An alternative method is to set up a process within your organisation to manage salary confidentiality. For example, internal payroll teams can provide cash pay information by employee ID, capped at the top tax band. This would mean the person importing the salary data will not see the individual's cash pay figures where the cash pay exceeds $180,000 for 2022 onwards. This has a minimal effect on the calculations.

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