Updated information 04/06/2020

Notification was send to users who downloaded the Release 5.4c software from the Customer Zone between 29/05/2020 and 01/06/2020.

Release 5.4c+ was made available on 02/06/2020. 

The Release 5.4c software update includes a backdated recalculation to apply changes based on the ETI changes confirmed in the revised Bills published 19 May 2020.

Q: What is difference between Release 5.4c, and now a Release 5.4c+?

• Release 5.4c is the original version of the update which had an issue with the incorrect backdate recalculation of ETI values for employees earnings R6500 and more during the update process.
• Release 5.4c+ is the subsequent version release which is the same as Release 5.4c, and includes a correction on the backdate recalculation of ETI values for employees earnings R6500 and more during the update process.
• This backdate recalculation is only applied during the conversion process when updating from 5.4b to 5.4c/5.4c+ if your company is in May 2020 and is based on the ETI setup of the companies. Installing the 5.4c+ on a folder which has already updated to 5.4c, will make no difference, since the conversion was already done.

Q: Which version should I install?

As from 02/06/2020, the Release 5.4c+ replaced the 5.4c install version. It is not necessary to update to Release 5.4c+ if you already updated to Release 5.4c, based on your scenario. 

The following scenarios will assist in deciding the action to take:

I downloaded to software between 29/05/2020 and 01/06/2020 and I am on Release 5.4c. My ETI values have been checked for April and are correct.

• No action required, and you do not need to install any new software.

I downloaded to software between 29/05/2020 and 02/06/2020 and I am on Release 5.4c. My ETI values have been checked for April and are incorrect.

• The ETI values need to be corrected for April 2020.
• Option 1: If possible, restore May 2020 backup, download the 5.4c+ software and update the system. This will apply the correct ETI backdate calculation for April. Restore your backup created before Release 5.4c+ was installed
• Option 2: If restoring is not possible, and ETI take-on will be required to correct the values. It is not necessary to install Release 5.4c+ on your live system, as there will be no conversion of ETI History. We will however recommend to restore your May backup in a copy payroll system, and upgrade the data to 5.4c+, to be able to extract the ETI values for April, and import using the ETI take-on.Identify and adjust the incorrect ETI values:

I downloaded to software between 29/05/2020 and 02/06/2020 and I am on Release 5.4c. My ETI values have been checked and are incorrect. I am already in June 2020 and not able to restore back to May 2020.

• If restoring of the May backup is not possible, an ETI take-on will be required to correct the values. It is not necessary to install Release 5.4c+ on your live system, as there will be no conversion of ETI History. We will however recommend to restore your May backup in a copy payroll system, and upgrade the data copy payroll to 5.4c+, to be able to extract the ETI values for April, and import using the ETI take-on. Identify and adjust the incorrect ETI values:

I downloaded to software on or after 02/06/2020 and I am on Release 5.4c+ where my companies are already in May 2020

• The update will run a backdated recalculation for April and will apply new ETI changes in May.
• No action necessary related to ETI, except that you must still review your ETI values since the system applied the calculations based on the ETI setup (including hours worked etc.)
• The SDL payment holiday will only be applied by the update as from May 2020

I downloaded to software on of after 02/06/2020 and installed Release 5.4c+ where my companies are already in June 2020

• ETI values for April 2020 and May 2020 will not be recalculated.
• You must still review your ETI values since the system applied the calculations based on the ETI setup (including hours worked etc.).We will however recommend to restore your May backup in a copy payroll system, and upgrade the copy payroll data to 5.4c+, to be able to extract the ETI values for April and May, and import using the ETI take-on. Identify and adjust the incorrect ETI values.
• The SDL payment holiday will only be applied by the update as from June 2020 (unless manually activated prior to the update). In this case, you will be required to remove SDL values for May 2020 and any MTD values for June (if paying employees weekly/bi-weekly)

* Correction on previous information on this post on 02/06/2020:

- The issue did not only affect employees older than 29, but any employee earning more than R6500.

- it is not necessary to install Release 5.4c+ in all instances (see details above) - you can also continue on Release 5.4c .

Update 02/06/0220

New payroll software (Release 5.4c+) is now available on the Customer Zone,  which will allow the correct recalculation for April 2020 to be applied for the employees who R6500 or more.

If you installed the Release 5.4c software before 02 June 2020, we recommend the following:

• The Release 5.4b backup made before the update, should be restored to your live  system folder(overwriting the existing files)
• Download the latest version of Release 5.4c+ software from the Customer Zone
• When the data converts during the upgrade, the ETI calculations for April 2020 to recalculate correctly for these employees.

When you install the new update software, the product version will reflect Classic 5.4c+ / Premier 5.4c+ / Version 5.4c+ (for Sage 200c VIP) when you access a company (not on the Company List screen). Please check you ETI values when you install the new update, to ensure they have recalculated correctly.

The Customer Zone update downloads pages are currently being updated with the new software, however you can also download the latest versions on the Software Downloads page:

http://payrollupdate.sagesouthafrica.co.za/totsol/ (please ensure ot select the correct version to download).

We thank all our users for their patience in resolving this issue and apologise for any inconvenience caused.

For the ETI values to be corrected, please follow the manual process described in the steps below, to rectify the ETI for employees older than 29 years old, earning more than R6500 in April 2020.

• The company must be in May 2020 (not June 2020)
• Ensure the SDL values for May are zero (print the EMP201 to validate)
• Extract the ETI History report for the 2020 calendar year (the report does not work per tax year). The report is found under Interfaces > Export Data > ETI History.
• The report will generate and will open in Excel
• Activate column filters on the first line which contains the headings of the Excel sheet (High-light row 1 in Excel, and select Data > Filter)
• Filter according to Calendar month 4 (click on the arrow on the Month column heading, and select 4)
• Filter according to ETI Remuneration which must be R6500 or more
• Replace the ETI calculated value for the affected employee with a value of 0.00
• Deleted column AE (New/Term Days) to column AL (Comments) of the Excel worksheet – The column containing F will now be in column in column AE.
• Delete the 1st row of the Excel that contains the report headings
• Copy the sheet to a new Excel document
• Save the new file as a CSV comma delimited file
• Make a backup of your company data (Recommended) before you do the import
• Import the ETI History CSV file, which will overwrite and correct the ETI amounts for affected employees. To import the file, select Interfaces > Import Data > Utility Imports > ETI Take-On, select Import - browse to the folder where you saved the ETI CSV file and type in the name)
• Print the ETI History report again to review the ETI values for April for all employees, including the ones corrected with this process.
• The difference between the original EMP201 for April, and the ETI values on ETI History, will be the adjusted value to declare on your EMP201 for May 2020.

Just a reminder, if no ETI reflects for the month of May 2020, be sure all employees are linked to a Wage Regulating Measure and is linked to a valid minimum wage code. Refer to this post for more details:

Important information in preparation of Release 5.4c (to be released towards end of May 2020)

Original post 01 June 2020

We have become aware on an issue which affects the ETI recalculation for April 2020 on the new Release 5.4c software.

This affects Sage Classic, Sage Premier and Sage 200c VIP.

In some instances, the system calculates invalid ETI calculated values for employees older than 29 years old, who earned R6500 remuneration in the month of April 2020. There is thus an invalid ETI value instead of zero.

Take note, if no ETI reflects for the month of May, be sure all employees are linked to a Wage Regulating Measure and is linked to a valid minimum wage code. Refer to this post for more details:

Important information in preparation of Release 5.4c (to be released towards end of May 2020)

In order to rectify the issue where ETI calculated incorrectly for the mentioned employees, we have removed the current version of the Release 5.4c software on the Customer Zone and Software Downloads pages.When you access the Release 5.4c update page, you will received the notification that the software has temporary been removed.

 As soon as a new version is available,we will inform you here on Sage City

Q: I have already installed the Release 5.4c software - what are my options?

A: If you installed already installed the software, please review your ETI values for April and May month - the issue will affect employees older than 29 years old who earned.6500 or more on the payroll.

In the next question, the options are addressed.

Q: How do I resolve this issue?

A: You have already installed the Release 5.4c software and noticed that the ETI values for employees are incorrect.

Please follow the recommendations outlined below:

You can wait with the Start of Period to June:

• Restore the Full System Release 5.4b backup made before installing Release 5.4c
• Install the correct Release 5.4c update when it becomes available

You are unable to wait and must start June processing:

• Restore the Full System Release 5.4b backup made before installing Release 5.4c int the live system.
• Make a copy of the live system to a new folder - keep the folder until the new update becomes available.
• Access the live system with VIPSD (Support will assist you with this process, you will not need a letter)
  • Access the Basic Company Information screen
  • Tick the Period SDL box at the bottom of the screen
  • Change the SDL percentage from 1% to 0%
  • If you are processing in a wages company, the MTD SDL will need to be adjusted, for the MTD+ values to reflect 0.00 - your EMP201 for May will indicate the SDL values.
  • You will be able to do the Start of Period to June.
• As soon as the new Release 5.4c software becomes available, both folders will need to be updated (May and June).

Any related queries or question can be submitted to the support team via web form: Request assistance via Web Form