General

Q:  Version v6.81 is the version with the new tax tables?

A:  Yes, v6.81 of Clarity will include the 2026 tax tables.

Q: Are we going to receive a copy of the webinar ?

A:  Yes, you will be receiving the recording of the webinar along with all year-end resources. If you don't receive this, please reach out to our support team directly. 

Q:  Do you have detailed checklist for year end?

A:  Click here for the Clarity Year-End Checklist (2025-2026) and here for the Hosted version. We'll also be emailing all resources to our customers for the year-end.

Q:  What if the pay covers December and January? 

A:  As long as the pay date falls in 2026, it should take the 2026 tax tables, even if the pay period is in December or covers both December and January. If you pay it in December, it should take the 2025 tax tables.

Q: Could you please review updating the tax tables again?

A:  Go to Utilities > Tax Table Upgrade to upgrade to the latest tax tables! 

Q:  Should we be contacting PBS prior to finishing the 2025 payroll or after completing the last payroll with the new license number?

A:  Please complete all 2025 payrolls before contacting PBS or Paymate to install the new version of Clarity for you.

Q:  When you say the 2025 payrolls are to be complete, that does not include T4 preparation - we can still do adjustments after we update, yes?

A:  Yes, you can change the payroll year when logging into Clarity back to 2025 to do your 2025 T4s after closing the year or running your first 2026 pay run.

Q:  Can we post adjusting entries after year-end (before T4)?

A:  Yes, you can do this. We recommend making the adjustments prior to closing the year.

Q:  Do you need to close 2025 in order to do your payroll group pay dates for 2026 or can that be pre-done?

A:  Clarity will automatically create your 2026 pay periods when you close the 2025 year. You do not need to pre-do this. 

Q:  So the year needs to be closed to run 2026 pay periods

A:  Yes, closing the year will automatically create your 2026 pay periods and enable you to log into the year 2026. 

Q: I am away for Christmas, can I do this renewal and upgrade etc. this week before i leave? I am in Canada.

A:  Yes, you can do the renewal at any time. You can also upgrade at any time as long as it is after your final 2024 pay run and before your first 2025 pay run.

Hosting

Q: Is there a way to find out who is hosting?

A:  If the software is installed on your computer, it's likely that you're not a hosted customer (you're an on-premise customer). If you're hosted by Paymate, you would be accessing Clarity via Windows Remote Desktop. You can also check your SQL Database location to confirm who/where your data is hosted. 

Q:  For a hosted system, the year end has to be completed and then PBS would update the system. Is this correct? 

A:  We strongly recommend to update the system to the latest version before closing the year as this is the proper procedure. 

Q:  My hosting provider activated my 2025 clarity license about 3 weeks ago. I'm on 6.67 taxable. Does this mess my 2024 payroll? I still have another 2024 payroll. I'm in the USA.

A:  Yes, as long as you are not running v6.70 or newer, you are still using the 2024 tax tables, so this will not impact your 2024 payrolls. 

Renewal

Q: I already renewed my license but can I download my clarity for 2026 if my payroll for 2025 is not done yet

A:  While it is available for customers to download and install, please complete all 2025 payrolls before upgrading to v6.81 with the 2026 tax tables.

Q: How do we know if we have to renew our license or if we contact PBS to do the upload? 

A:  You will be renewing with Paymate directly, but contacting PBS separately to upgrade to the latest tax tables once you're ready (after processing all 2024 payrolls). 

Installation

Q:  In the past, we uninstalled Paymate on the PC, then reinstalled Paymate.  Is this necessary?

A:  It is not absolutely necessary although our formal documentation indicates this.  You can install the new version over the old one, but please ensure that no one else is connected to the program or has it open at the time of installation.

Q:  Do I need to update to the latest version before closing the year?

A:  Please ensure that you complete all 2025 payrolls and CLOSE the 2025 year before upgrading to the new version as you are not able to downgrade afterwards.