A quick one-time setup to keep your Single Touch Payroll compliant with new procedures and running without interruption
The ATO has introduced new security requirements for payroll software providers. As part of this update, every business using foundU for STP must be linked to the ATO via a Software Subscription ID (SSID). You’ll need to lodge your SSID before 30 June 2026 to stay compliant.
The SSID is a shared identifier between your ABN, foundU (as your payroll platform and STP gateway), and the ATO. It acts as a verified link, ensuring your payroll data is sent by an authorised party.
The good news? We’ve already done the heavy lifting for you. foundU has automatically generated an SSID for every ABN in your account, so that part is taken care of. All that’s left to do is lodge it through the ATO Access Manager portal; a quick and straightforward process!
In this article, we will cover:
- What an SSID is and how it works
- How to complete your SSID declaration
- FAQs about SSID declarations
Please note: The permission 'Submit STP Data' is required to access the SSID Declaration drawer.
A Software Subscription ID (SSID) is a unique identifier linked to your ABN that authorises your payroll data to be sent to the ATO. It forms part of updated ATO requirements for Single Touch Payroll (STP), ensuring that all submissions come from a verified and authorised source. You can think of it like a secure 'address label' on your payroll data, confirming exactly who it’s coming from.
The SSID creates a trusted connection between your business, your payroll software (foundU), the sending service provider (SSP), and the ATO. This added layer of security helps protect your data and ensures compliance with the latest ATO standards.
Key facts to be aware of:
- foundU acts as both your payroll platform (DSP) and the STP gateway (SSP)
- If you manage multiple ABNs, each must be declared separately
- Registered agents have their own ABN and therefore their own SSID
- The person in your business with access to the ATO Business Portal will need to lodge the SSID in the declaration section
Once your SSID is registered with the ATO, you will not need to perform this process again unless you take on new businesses with new ABNs.
Completing this today takes fewer than 10 minutes/per ABN and removes a compliance task from your 2026 end-of-financial-year checklist. The process below will take place within foundU and the ATO's Access Manager portal. To complete the declaration in full, it's best to have a designated person in your business with access to both.
Please note: Complete this now — not at EOFY. June is your busiest payroll period. After the 30th of June 2026, STP submissions without a registered SSID will fail, causing you undue stress at EOFY.
To complete your declaration:
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Find your SSID in foundU. There are 2 places you can access the declaration drawer. It does not matter which place you take action from.
From your Dashboard - Locate the card labelled 'Declare SSIDs by 30 June 2026'. Select to open the declaration drawer.
From the STP page - Locate the SSID banner and select 'Get started now' to open the declaration drawer.
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Copy your SSID for the relevant ABN - The drawer will display all your SSIDs listed against each ABN. Select the copy icon to copy the numbers exactly.
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Lodge it in the ATO Access Manager portal - Log in to Access Manager at ato.gov.au. and take the following action:
- Select My hosted software services > Notify the ATO of your hosted service.
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Search for foundU, select your ABN, paste your SSID, then select Save.
Tip: If you are unsure how to register your SSID, use this helpful guide - Identify your hosted software service in ATO Access Manager.
- Mark as declared in foundU - Return to the declaration drawer in foundU and select 'Declared with ATO' for each ABN.
Completing the declaration tells us at foundU to begin sending STP data using the new authenticated method. There will be no further changes to how you send STP in your platform!
Please note: Once you have confirmed completion of SSID registration, this cannot be reversed. If marked as complete in error, the only resolution is to proceed with SSID registration through the ATO.
Declared in error? How to fix your STP submission
If you’ve accidentally made a declaration in error, don’t worry, there's a simple way to get everything back on track. Follow the steps below to complete your STP submission correctly.
What happens after declaring in error?
- The STP banner and declaration drawer will no longer appear in your platform
- If it’s after June 30, any STP submissions you attempt will result in errors
How to remedy your errored STP packets:
- Find Your SSID - Since the usual STP options are no longer visible, you’ll need to locate your SSID manually on the Office Codes page.
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Find and note your SSID number.
- Declare Your SSID with the ATO (using the instructions in the content above).
- Resume STP Submissions. Once your SSID has been entered correctly, you can return to your STP workflow and submit your STP data as usual.
Once you’ve declared your existing SSIDs, you’ll be all set for the 30th of June 2026 deadline. If you add any new paying entities in the future, a new SSID will be generated for that ABN. When that happens, you’ll just need to lodge the new SSID with the ATO, using the details on the Office codes page.
I have just moved to foundU. Can I use the SSID from my previous platform?
No. SSIDs are unique to each payroll platform. foundU has generated a new SSID for your ABN automatically, and you will need to declare this SSID to the ATO.
We have multiple ABNS. How many SSID declarations do we have to complete?
One per ABN. The same SSID applies to all branches under a single ABN, but each distinct ABN needs its own declaration.
What if we use a registered agent to perform STP-related tasks?
A registered agent will have their own ABN and, therefore, their own SSID to lodge within the ATO Access Manager portal. They can find their SSID by logging in to their admin account and navigating to the person icon in the top-right corner of the platform. From there, they will need to select Admin Profile and find their SSID.
After lodging this in the Access Manager portal, any STP-related tasks they perform in your platform will be sent to the ATO with their registered agent SSID.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
STP submissions for that ABN will fail from 1 July 2026 until the SSID is declared. Completing this early avoids any interruption.
Where do I find my SSID after setup?
Your SSID is always accessible on the Office Codes page in foundU, listed against the relevant ABN.
What will happen if we process STP before we have lodged our SSID?
If it is after the 1st of July, 2026, the STP submission will fail and an error will be returned.
Will I need to complete this process again after declaring my SSIDs prior to 30 June 2026, or is this the only time I will need to do this?
Yes and no.
Once you’ve declared your existing SSIDs, you won’t need to repeat the process for those ABNs. However, if you create any new paying entities in the future, a new SSID will be generated for that ABN.
When that happens, you’ll simply need to lodge the new SSID with the ATO at that time. You can find the SSID for you new pay entity on the Office codes page.