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

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 2026 to 31 March 2026 is in the 2026 folder under the file name, VAT Return 01012026 - 31032026.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:

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. Go to 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. Stop the Data Service or lock Remote Data Access. 
6. Right-click on the folder VATRTNS then press Copy. Right-click on your desktop then press Paste.
7. Go to File, then Restore, and restore a backup of your data you took in step 1.
8. On your desktop, right-click on the folder VATRTNS then press Copy.
9. Browse to and right-click on the folder from step 4 then press Paste. If requested to merge folders or replace files, select Yes.

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