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ERROR: 'Failed to load VAT Return XML' or 'Unable to load VAT Verify results'

Created on  | Last modified on 

Summary

How to resolve these error messages in Sage 50 Accounts, when you try to open a VAT Return.

Description

When you try to open an archived VAT Return, one of these messages can appear:

  • 'Failed to load VAT Return XML'
    or 
  • 'Unable to load VAT Verify results'

They appear due to missing or corrupt files.

Resolution

Check if the files are present

  1. In Sage 50 Accounts, go to Help then About.
  2. Under Program Details, 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\2025\COMPANY.001\ACCDATA, browse to the COMPANY.001 folder.
  4. Open the VATRTNS folder and check if the files are present for the relevant VAT Return.

EXAMPLE: The VAT Return for 1 January 2025 to 31 March 2025 is in the 2025 folder under the file name, VAT Return 01012025 - 31032025.xml.


Restore missing files

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

  1. Go to File then Back up and Back up your data.
  2. Go to File then Restore and Restore a backup of your data.
  3. 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\2025\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: Before you paste these files, either Stop the Data Service or lock Remote Data Access if you use it.

  6. Go to 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.

 TIP: We recommend always using the most up to date version of your software. Use our Sage 50 Accounts software updates article. 

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