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
- In Sage 50 Accounts, go to Help then About.
- Under Program Details, note of the Data Directory.
- 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.
- 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.
- If the files are present, they can be corrupt. Use our Error 'The archive VAT return was created after reconciliation' or the VAT Detailed report is incorrect - UK only article to resolve this
- If the files aren't present, continue to the To restore missing files section
Restore missing files
If the files are missing, you can copy them from a previous backup:
- Go to File then Back up and Back up your data.
- Go to File then Restore and Restore a backup of your data.
- Click Help then About. Under Program Details, make a note of the Data Directory.
- 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.
- 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.
- Go to File then Restore and Restore a backup of your data you took in step 1.
- On your desktop, right-click on the folder VATRTNS then click Copy.
- 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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