How to use the Migrate Payroll Data option to transfer from another payroll system to Sage Payroll.
When moving from another payroll system, you can use the Migrate Payroll Data option. This allows you to enter your existing payroll information and employees into Payroll.
The values will show as opening balances. The RPN will pull through any relevant figures from previous jobs within the tax year.
We’ve put together this video and guide that explains the information you need and how to enter it.
▼When to migrate your data
Migrate your data at the start of a tax month or quarter. Whichever you choose depends on how often you pay Revenue. You’ll enter your total payroll values up to that date. This ensures you don't re-submit information already submitted to Revenue.
For example:
you’ve processed into the current tax month. Process the remaining weekly pay runs of the period in the old payroll system. Complete your online submission to Revenue Online Service (ROS). You then migrate the data into Payroll at the beginning of the next tax month.
▼Information you need from your current payroll system
Before migrating your data, you need the following information from your previous payroll:
| Year to date values | For each of your company employee's, gather the following year to date information:
- Gross pay
- Taxable received
- Tax (PAYE) paid
- Universal Social Charge (USC) paid
- Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) paid
- Taxable illness benefit paid
- Income from reportable shares
- Benefits in Kind (BIK) received
- Local Property Tax (LPT) paid
- Employee and employer pension contributions made
|
| Start dates | Current employees' start date. |
| Leaver dates | Leave dates of the current tax year leavers. |
▼To enter your data into Payroll
- On the Summary tab, select Enter manually.
- Confirm your reporting details as follows:
| Reporting Frequency | Choose whether you pay Revenue monthly. If you’re unsure, contact the ROS helpdesk (opens in new tab). |
| Payment Method | Choose whether you pay Revenue by cheque or bank transfer. |
| Last completed reporting period | Choose the last tax month or quarter that you completed and paid to Revenue.
The first pay run you process in Payroll is at the start of the next reporting period. |
- Specify when you pay your employees. Select the checkbox for each pay frequency you intend to use.
- For each pay frequency you’re using, choose the day of the week or month you want to pay your employees on.
- Payroll can avoid a pay date that falls on a bank holiday or weekend. Select the Avoid Public Holidays and Weekends checkbox. Select Next.
- To create a record for an employee you’ve paid this tax year, select Add Employee.
- Select Personal Details. Enter the employee’s personal details, including their contact details.
- Complete the Current Tax Details and Opening Balances tabs.
- Select Save.
- Repeat the above steps for any other employees and select Next.
- Select Submit to confirm the migration details. A Next Steps window appears.
- You can review the information you’ve entered so far by selecting Review or edit your migrated data link. Once you’re happy with your figures, select Done.
This takes you back to the Migrate Payroll Data Wizard, where you can make the necessary changes. Once you begin processing pay in Payroll, you can't return to the wizard to make changes. Before completing your first pay run, review, edit or configure your data. Do this from the Payroll Summary tab.
Register to retrieve and submit data to ROS
Before Sage Payroll can communicate with ROS you must go through a registration process.
- Select Summary from the menu bar.
- Under PAYE Modernisation, select Register Now.
You’re now ready to Process a pay run.
- Solution ID
- 222001000101743
- Last Modified Date
- Tue Apr 07 14:13:02 UTC 2026
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