Believe it or not, we've already reached the third quarter of 2011, and that means that the next round of tax updates is not available from SupportPlus Online. Here are the steps you need to follow in order to update your Abra Payroll.

Use these steps to download your quarterly tax update

1. Visit the SupportPlus log on page
2. Enter your User Name and Password (or register for a new member login)
3. Select Quarterly Tax Updates Available here
4. Select the Sage Abra Suite Q3 2011 Payroll Update download specific to your Sage Abra version
5. Follow the simple instructions to download the tax update

• Check your software version.
  The Q3 2011 tax update is compatible with Sage Abra Suite v7.8, and Sage Abra Suite v9.0. You will need to select the Sage Abra Suite Q3 2011 Payroll Update download specific to your Sage Abra version.
• Set aside enough time for the download.
  Most of the time, downloading only takes a few minutes. But customers with a dial-up Internet connection may need to set aside about 30 minutes for the file transfer process.
• Install your updates before running your trial quarter close.
  The accuracy of your tax reports depends on having the most up-to-date tax tables loaded onto Sage Abra.
• Let us know if you need help.
  Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need technical help with downloading the Q3 2011 tax update.

Sage has just released the 9.1 version upgrade for Abra Suite HR & Payroll. This upgrade for the Fox Pro version of Sage Abra Suite is included in your yearly support plan. If you are currently running Sage Abra Suite v9.0 or any of the 7.X versions, now is a great opportunity to move to the latest version of Abra.

Sage Abra version 9.1 offers customer-requested quality and usability enhancements in the HRMS, Payroll, and Sage Employee Self Service (Sage ESS) solutions. More key capabilities, including time-off management, advanced customization, and easy import and export capabilities, are now included with all Sage Abra HR installations. Customers who have Abra Workforce Connections (now Sage ESS) will appreciate powerful new features that make it easier than ever for HR professionals, managers, and employees to access information and make routine HR transactions.

The 9.1 upgrade includes a number of new features, including

• Support for Active Directory eliminates the need for multiple logons.
• Usability enhancements include the ability to to track documents, track documents used to complete an I-9 Form and hide inactive codes.
• The employee self-service module, formerly Abra Workforce Connections (AWC) has been given a new, fresh interface, and now goes by the intuitive name Sage Employee Self Service
• Manager’s Time Off Calendar in Sage ESS provides managers with a monthly view of their employees’ time off.
• Sage ESS Mobility lets employees and managers complete common tasks anytime, anywhere.
• Sage Crystal Dashboard Design—an optional, easy-to-use data visualization tool—enables you to create your own dashboards in Sage Employee Analytics.

Sage will be running a free, hour-long webinar to demonstrate the new features of Sage Abra Suite v9.1. For your convenience, this webinar will take place on four dates at 2:00pm EST (11:00am PST). The dates for the webinar are:

• Tuesday, August 30th
• Tuesday, September 13th
• Tuesday, September 20th
• Tuesday, October 4th

If you are still running a 7.X version, here are some videos of just a few of the features you're missing from Abra Suite v9.0.

The quarterly tax update for Sage Abra Payroll is now available from SupportPlus Online. Following these steps will help you update your payroll system.

Here are some tips to ensure the success of your update

• Check your software version.
  The Q2 2011 tax update is compatible with Sage Abra Suite v7.8, and Sage Abra Suite v9.0. You will need to select the Sage Abra Suite Q2 2011 Payroll Update download specific to your Sage Abra version.
• Set aside enough time for the download.
  Most of the time, downloading only takes a few minutes. But customers with a dial-up Internet connection may need to set aside about 30 minutes for the file transfer process.
• Install your updates before running your trial quarter close.
  The accuracy of your tax reports depends on having the most up-to-date tax tables loaded onto Sage Abra.
• Let us know if you need help.
  Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need technical help with downloading the Q2 2011 tax update.

Use these steps to download your quarterly tax update

1. Visit the SupportPlus log on page
2. Enter your User Name and Password (or register for a new member login)
3. Select Quarterly Tax Updates Available here
4. Select the Sage Abra Suite Q2 2011 Payroll Update download specific to your Sage Abra version
5. Follow the simple instructions to download the tax update

The state of California is no longer accepting magnetic media report through the mail. In order to submit your reports electronically, you will need to create the UIWAGE.TXT file, which you can do easily by following this tutorial for Sage Abra Payroll.

1) Select Reports > Payroll > Electronic Media Reporting

2) Select Quarterly Tax and Wage File

3) Select Employer(s)

4) Enter Quarter End Date

5) Select CA for State

6) Select a specific destination directory or use the default Abra Export folder. Click OK

Screenshot:

7) Exclude any applicable employees

8) Enter any information on the CA Quarterly Wage and Tax File Criteria screen. Click OK.

Screenshot:

9) Enter the pay period end date that included April, 12, 2011; May 12, 2011; and June 12, 2011. Click OK

10) File "UIWage.txt" created. message should now appear. Click OK.

11) Browse to the directory path the UIWage.txt file was created in:

1. Right-click and Zip the UIWage.txt file.
2. Go to the e-Services for Business web page.
3. Login and click on Attach A Return File.
4. Under 'Type' select DE 9C ICESA, ZIP.