AASHTO (XML Auto-Fill)
eMars supports AASHTO XML auto-fill across multiple state DOT agencies using AASHTOWare systems.
What Gets Generated
Your AASHTO XML file includes all required payroll information:
- Contractor and payroll header details
- Payroll start and end dates
- Employee identification and classification data
- Hours worked and wage rates
- Fringe benefit program information
No manual XML coding. No formatting errors. No delayed submissions due to file rejection.
eMars pulls directly from your certified payroll data—the same information you're already entering—and converts it into a fully formatted XML file that passes XML validation requirements. This means your payroll team doesn't have to learn XML standards, work with complex technical resource kits, or depend on IT staff to generate compliant files.
Why DOT Agencies Require This Format
DOT agencies managing projects under AASHTOWare Project Civil Rights & Labor systems accept certified payroll data through XML import to verify compliance with prevailing wage laws and labor regulations. This format allows agencies to validate payroll information systematically without manual data entry—a process that would otherwise be extremely time-consuming given the volume and complexity of certified payroll submissions.
When you submit incorrectly formatted XML files, they are often rejected by their system. They may return it for corrections, hold project payments pending resubmission, or flag compliance issues that require investigation. Automated XML generation eliminates these friction points for both you and the agency.
The Davis-Bacon Act and Your Payroll Obligation
The Davis-Bacon Act, enacted in 1931, requires all contractors and subcontractors on federal transportation projects to pay workers prevailing wages and fringe benefits established by the Department of Labor. Certified payroll documentation is how you prove ongoing compliance with these requirements.
Payroll submission isn't optional or informal. Your certified payroll must:
- Document all employee hours and classifications for each week
- Show that wages paid meet prevailing wage requirements
- Include fringe benefit amounts provided or withheld
- Be submitted to the contracting agency within required timeframes
- Remain available for audit by government agencies
Missing or delayed submissions can trigger compliance investigations, project payment holds, or audit findings that damage your reputation and project profitability. Inaccurate submissions—especially those with formatting errors that cannot be processed—create additional liability.
eMars handles the technical conversion from your payroll data to compliant XML, eliminating the most common failure point: file formatting errors that cause resubmission delays.
How eMars Payroll XML Works
This three-step process removes the manual work that typically consumes 2-4 hours per payroll period across mid-size to large contractors managing multiple projects.
Real Benefits You'll Experience
Faster Submissions
Generate compliant XML in minutes instead of hours. Your payroll team moves from data entry directly to submission.
Fewer File Rejections
Improperly formatted XML is the leading cause of resubmissions. eMars eliminates formatting errors that trigger rejection notices.
Reduced Compliance Exposure
Delayed or incorrect payroll submissions create audit risk. Automated accuracy protects you.
Complete Audit Trail
Every XML file generated is logged and timestamped. You have a complete record of all the required payroll information.
Payroll Team Efficiency
Your payroll staff spend less time on technical file creation and more time on actual payroll management.
AASHTO Support Across States
eMars supports AASHTO XML auto-fill for multiple state DOT agencies. Each state's AASHTO system has specific formatting requirements and data elements. eMars builds state-specific XML generation into the platform, so you don't have to manage different file formats or worry about whether your submission meets your state's requirements.
Does your state use AASHTO? Contact our sales team. We work with contractors and agencies across the country to implement AASHTO XML solutions. If your state uses AASHTOWare systems for certified payroll reporting, we can discuss your specific requirements and implementation options.
Implementation and Training
Implementation is straightforward because eMars handles all the technical complexity.
Getting Started
Your eMars account is already set up to collect all required payroll data. When you're ready to generate XML, the process is built into the platform—no separate software, no new systems to learn.
State-Specific Configuration
Our team ensures your account is configured for your state's specific AASHTO requirements. This happens during setup, so XML generation works correctly from day one.
Support and Questions
Our compliance team answers questions about state-specific requirements, submission timelines, and integration with your agency's process. Most contractors are up and running in their first payroll cycle.
Why Contractors Choose eMars for Certified Payroll
Over 50,000 users trust eMars for certified payroll compliance across construction and government contracting. That's because eMars solves the actual problems contractors face:
- Time Pressure - Payroll deadlines are fixed. Late submissions create problems. eMars gets you compliant files faster.
- Accuracy Risk - One formatting error cascades into rejected submissions and delayed payments. eMars eliminates human error in file generation.
- Staff Dependency - Manual XML creation requires technical knowledge most payroll teams don't have. eMars removes that skill requirement.
- Multi-State Complexity - Managing different state formats and requirements is tedious and error-prone. eMars handles state-specific variations automatically.
- Audit Confidence - When an agency audits your payroll, having documentation of accurate, timely submissions protects you. eMars gives you that record.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q Can eMars handle multiple projects with different prevailing wage rates?
Yes. eMars manages multiple projects simultaneously, with each project's wage determinations and fringe benefits tracked separately.
Q What if my state uses AASHTOWare? How do I know if eMars supports it?
Contact our sales team. We support multiple AASHTO states and work with agencies across the country. If your state uses AASHTOWare systems for certified payroll, we can discuss your specific requirements and implementation options.
Q Do I need to change how I enter payroll data?
No. You enter data the same way you do now in eMars. XML generation happens automatically in the background.
Q How often can I generate XML files?
As often as you need. Most contractors generate weekly, aligned with their payroll submission deadlines.