How to Submit a Previous Year's XML File to CRA

On occasion, you may be required to submit a previous year's XML file to CRA. Since CRA typically will only accept XML data in the current year's format you can no longer use older versions of eForms to generate the XML file for upload.

Here's how you can prepare a previous year's XML file for upload to CRA. This procedure assumes that the previous year's data exists in a current eForms database:

1. Click TOOLS > GLOBAL CHANGES > SLIP INFORMATION - Select the company and slip type being processed
2. Select “Change tax year to” - In the OPTIONS section change the year to the current year and click APPLY
   • This is necessary because eForms cannot generate XML files for years other than the current year
3. Review your data, confirming that any calculated data is correct, and generate the XML file
4. Make a backup of the XML file and open the original in a text editor such as Notepad (included with Windows)
   • DO NOT use a word processor
   • The XML file's location is shown on line 5 of the HELP > DIAGNOSTICS AND FILE LOCATIONS screen
5. Scroll to the bottom of the XML file, the current year will be inside XML tags similar to <tx_yr>year</tx_yr>
6. Edit the year so that it shows the year being processed and save the XML file
7. Submit the XML file to CRA

If you'll be distributing recipient slips you will also need to to the following:

1. Click TOOLS > GLOBAL CHANGES > SLIP INFORMATION - Select the company and slip type being processed
2. Select “Change tax year to” - In the OPTIONS section change the year to the current year and click APPLY
   • This is necessary to print the correct year on the recipient slips
3. Print and distribute the forms

And you're finished!

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