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Some of the changes this makes to your payroll software include:

• USC is calculated cumulatively in 2012.

• The Employee Details screen is reorganised to support USC changes.

• You can edit USC rates and thresholds.

• PRSI classes A2, A5, B2, C2, D2, H2, J2 and S2 have been abolished. Employees who were on these classes in 2011 are automatically moved to A1, A4, B1, C1, D1, H1, J1 and S1 for 2012.

• Timesheet calculations take into account the abolition of employer PRSI relief on pension contributions.

Before carrying out any software update, ensure that all payroll data is backed up to a secure location. Also make sure that you have the necessary administrative rights, and contact your Sage business partner or the relevant IT professional to verify that you can proceed with the update.