Unfortunately this was effective since April/14 - no idea why you have not rec'd any emails about it unless u do not subscribe. It affects those who renew after April/14. So anyone who is not renewing til Nov  for example won't have a problem until after they renew. Then they are limited to 10 or less.

I did get popups in the last couple days that the help line is busier than usual and long waits - never had those popups before. If I remember right you are going to have to upgrade and pay for the payroll tier level that suits you best before you can continue.

I did not have the above information quite right so here's a Sage50 excerpt that explains it better:

Q: Why are you changing the employee payroll tiers?

A: In March 2012, we implemented the initial employee payroll tiers for payroll. At that time, the future intent was to further tier the employee limits in order to price payroll according to usage. Our customers have varying amounts of employees and with a tiered system, we are able to optimize product performance and features based on usage. The price reflects the number of employees that are being paid with the payroll plan.

Sage payroll services remain competitively priced in the market for the value offered.  Payroll is conveniently accessible from within Sage 50 and allows you to be in control of your payroll. You can easily pay employees anytime by accurately calculating payroll taxes and other deductions with built-in and up-to-date payroll tax tables. You are also prepared for year-end government forms and remittances.

Q: Which products are affected?

A: Sage 50 Pro Accounting, Sage 50 Premium Accounting and Sage 50 Quantum Accounting.

Q: Who will receive an extra charge after April 1, 2014?

A: Any businesses with 10 or more “active” employees, will receive an extra charge on their next renewal invoice.

I did not have the above information quite right so here's a Sage50 excerpt that explains it better:

Q: Why are you changing the employee payroll tiers?

A: In March 2012, we implemented the initial employee payroll tiers for payroll. At that time, the future intent was to further tier the employee limits in order to price payroll according to usage. Our customers have varying amounts of employees and with a tiered system, we are able to optimize product performance and features based on usage. The price reflects the number of employees that are being paid with the payroll plan.

Sage payroll services remain competitively priced in the market for the value offered.  Payroll is conveniently accessible from within Sage 50 and allows you to be in control of your payroll. You can easily pay employees anytime by accurately calculating payroll taxes and other deductions with built-in and up-to-date payroll tax tables. You are also prepared for year-end government forms and remittances.

Q: Which products are affected?

A: Sage 50 Pro Accounting, Sage 50 Premium Accounting and Sage 50 Quantum Accounting.

Q: Who will receive an extra charge after April 1, 2014?

A: Any businesses with 10 or more “active” employees, will receive an extra charge on their next renewal invoice.