Check if the files are present

1. On the menu bar, click Help then About.
2. Under Program Details, make a note of the Data Directory.
3. Browse to the folder that contains the Accdata folder in the Data Directory. For example, if your data path is C:\ProgramData\Sage\Accounts\2016\COMPANY.001\ACCDATA, browse to the COMPANY.001 folder.
4. Open the VATRTNS folder, check if the files are present for the relevant VAT Return.

EXAMPLE: The VAT Return for 1 January 2015 to 31 March 2015 would be in the 2015 folder under the file name, VAT Return 01012015 - 31032015.xml.

If the files are present, they may be corrupt. Use our Error 'The archive VAT return was created after reconciliation' or the VAT Detailed report is incorrect - UK only guide to resolve this.
If the files aren't present, continue to the section To restore missing files.

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Restore missing files

If the files are missing, you can copy them from a previous backup:

1. On the menu bar, click File then Back up and Back up your data.
2. On the menu bar, click File then Restore and Restore a backup of your data.
3. On the menu bar, click Help then About. Under Program Details, make a note of the Data Directory.
4. Browse to the folder that contains the Accdata folder in the Data Directory. For example, if your data path is C:\ProgramData\Sage\Accounts\2016\COMPANY.001\ACCDATA, browse to the COMPANY.001 folder.
5. Right-click on the folder VATRTNS then click Copy. Right-click on your desktop then click Paste.
   
   

   CAUTION: Sage 50 Accounts v21 and above - Before you paste these files, either Stop the Data Service or lock Remote Data Access if you use it.

6. On the menu bar, click File then Restore and Restore a backup of your data you took in step 1.
7. On your desktop, right-click on the folder VATRTNS then click Copy.
8. Browse to and right-click on the folder from step 4 then click Paste. If requested to merge folders or replace files, select Yes.