Add or import benefits

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Overview
• FBT import template
  • Download FBT import template
  • Template guidelines
• Import benefits
• Manually add benefits
• Non-attributed benefits
• Troubleshooting
  • Your data isn't in a format we recognise

Overview

Benefit data can be imported using the FBT import template, or entered manually. When importing benefits it is important to ensure they are allocated to the right employees or pools.

FBT import template

The FBT import template is an Excel file, used to import an entity's benefits, vehicles, drivers, and employee data into TaxLab. It outlines the required structure and formatting to ensure the data is correctly imported.

This template is a reference guide for preparing your source data, and should not be used for direct FBT data entry into TaxLab.

There are 4 compulsory fields that must be completed for a successful import:

• employee_id
• description
• asset_id
• days_available_for_private_use

Information entered into other fields will be imported, but is not required for an import to be successful.

Download FBT import template

1. From the entity's FBT calculation, in the navigation bar select Workpapers > Benefits.
2. From the Benefits screen, select Import.
3. From the Import Benefits pop up window, select Download Import Template.

The same template can be downloaded from any Import Benefits pop up window within the FBT module.

Template guidelines

The template provided ensures the data is formatted correctly for import. It includes the following:

• Accepted column headings for the import.
• Examples showing the correct data format.
• Indicators showing whether a field is required or optional. Some fields are essential for calculations, while others can be included for reference or reporting.
• Descriptions of each data item.

To prepare data for import, follow these steps:

• Open the source data alongside the TaxLab template.
• Copy the Required column headings from the TaxLab template and paste them into the corresponding columns in tje source data, replacing any existing headings.

Import benefits

1. In Microsoft Excel, prepare the source data to meet the requirements of the template.
2. Select and copy the data (including the column headings).
3. In Taxlab, from the entity’s FBT calculation, select Workpapers > Benefits.
4. From the Benefits page, select the relevant Quarter.
5. Select Import.
6. Paste the data into the Import Benefits popup window.
7. Select Import.

If the import is successful, a message displays in a green banner stating the number of records that were imported. Select the Close button.

It's recommended to check the imported data to ensure it is as expected.

Manually add benefits

1. From the Benefits screen, select the relevant Quarter.
2. Select the benefit category that the new benefit will be added to.
3. Select New.
4. In the Search box, type the name of the employee receiving the benefit, then select the employee from the drop down list.
5. Enter the benefit amount and any other details.
6. Select Save.

Non-attributed benefits

To import non-attributed benefits, use one of the following as the ‘Employee ID’:

• For non-attributed benefits provided to major shareholder-employees, use ‘Shareholder Pool’ or ‘POOL1’.
• For non-attributed benefits provided to employees, use ‘Employee Pool’ or ‘POOL2’.  

Troubleshooting

Your data isn't in a format we recognise

• Check headers match the TaxLab FBT import template.
• Check data in each field matches the related header e.g. if the import is for vehicles and the Header field is Make, data in that cell needs to be the make of the vehicle (e.g. Ford).
• Character limits have not been exceeded in any cells: there is a 50 character limit for employee_id, membership_number, asset_id, make, cost_centre

Related articles

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