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info903
February 20, 2025
Question

Reporting zero hour worked

  • February 20, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 0 views

I’m having trouble submitting payroll in QuickBooks. I have two employees—one who has left but still appears in the system and one current employee. Both are on zero hours. When I try to report for the week, QuickBooks won’t let me submit without entering hours. If I uncheck both employees to exclude them, it still won’t allow submission. As a result, I’m receiving late filing notices from HMRC. However, since no hours were worked, there’s nothing to report. How can I submit the required report without entering hours?

1 reply

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Carneil_C
February 20, 2025

We have a different process for this depending on your payroll subscription, @info903. I have these handy steps ready for you.

 

If you're using the QuickBooks Online (QBO) Payroll Core, running payroll with a zero pay run or no employees to be paid is currently unavailable. However, you can submit them directly to the HMRC using the Basic Paye Tool available on the website.

 

If you're using the QBO Payroll Advanced version, you can submit an EPS to the HMRC. You don't need to run payroll in QBO. However, you need to set up RTI reporting and choose when to send it to the HMRC automatically. This way, QuickBooks sends it for you at the scheduled time.

Here's how:

 

  1. Go to the Payroll menu and select Reports.
  2. Within HMRC reporting, select Employer payment summary (EPS).
  3. Choose the tax year and click Run report.
  4. Tick Submit EPS.
  5. Select the tax period that you're submitting for.
  6. Choose the following that apply:
  • If you haven't made any payments for a previous reporting period, select No payments for period and choose the date.
  • If there's been a period of no activity, select Period of inactivity and choose the date.
  • If this is your final EPS for the tax year, select Final EPS for the tax year.
  • If this is your final EPS because the business has ceased, select Final EPS because the PAYE scheme has ceased, and select the date the scheme ceased on.
    7. Click Submit EPS once done.

 

More details about the EPS form can be found in this reference: Submit an EPS in QuickBooks Online Advanced Payroll. It also includes troubleshooting errors if you encounter them while submitting it.

 

In case you come across errors while trying to make a submission to the HMRC, this article can give you a detailed process to fix them: Fix payroll error codes in QuickBooks Online.

 

This thread is still open for queries about submitting your payroll or other QuickBooks Payroll-related concerns. We're determined to help you succeed. Stay safe always.

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info903Author
February 20, 2025

Thank you for your response. Previously, it was possible to submit zero-hour run payroll before the changes. Why has this option been removed? I am now receiving HMRC notices stating that I will be fined for late or missing submissions for employees.

 

Paying for a subscription that does not appear to comply with HMRC regulations.



C
CharleneMaeF
February 20, 2025

Thanks for getting back on this thread, info903.

 

I recognize the importance of running payroll with employees who have zero hours. I'm here to share additional details about this.

 

As part of an effort to streamline product offerings and provide a better experience that best meets the accounting needs of a wider range of customers, Standard Payroll was being replaced by Core Payroll. You can check out this article to learn more about this: Introducing QuickBooks Core Payroll: your new payroll experience.

 

If you've migrated from Standard to Core, please know that running payroll with zero hours is unavailable in this version. As a workaround, I suggest utilising the Basic Paye Tool. The software allows you to perform most payroll tasks and send this information to HMRC to avoid late or missing submissions.

 

We recognize that each company has unique needs, and I can see how the feature to run payroll with employees who have zero hours in QuickBooks Online Payroll Core would benefit and empower your business. I recommend sending this request straight to our product engineers through feedback. It helps us improve the features of the program. I'll show you how:

 

Here's how:

 

  1. Go to the Gear icon and select Feedback.
  2. Type in your suggestions about restoring the notes.
  3. Then, submit your request.

 

Alternatively, you can share this idea on our QuickBooks Idea Exchange Board page. To do so, click this link: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/quickbooks-idea-exchange/idb-p/uk-idea-exchange. Then, select the Suggest an idea button. After entering your suggestion, choose Post.

 

Additionally, you can get familiar with QuickBooks Online Core Payroll by browsing this article, info903. It contains helpful articles and bit-by-bit instructions for navigating this version: Navigating QuickBooks Online Core Payroll.

 

Keep me posted if you have additional questions about payroll. I'm also available to help with anything in QuickBooks. Have a good one!

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