Pre-2024 CRA XML File Converter
On January 15, 2025, CRA updated their XML file specifications to require that all XML files, including XML files for years before 2024, must be formatted according to CRA's 2024 specifications. XML files for Amended, Cancelled and Additional submissions that were prepared by software released prior to January 15, 2025 will be rejected by CRA.
What this means is that from January 15, 2025 onward, CRA will only accept your previous year's XML submission if you've re-formatted your previous year's XML file according to CRA's 2024 XML requirements before uploading it to CRA.
But don't worry! We've created an easy-to-use tool for you that will make a copy of your previous year's XML file and change the copy as necessary to meet CRA's 2024 XML format. The re-formatted XML file will pass CRA's submission validation process.
The utility is absolutely free, even if you use something other than AvanTax eForms!
Change Log
- 2025‑01‑28 - T619 Record - Reformat tramsmitter data to 2025‑01‑15 specification
Pre-2025 CRA XML File Converter
A free utility to update older XML files to CRA's updated specifications
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has introduced significant changes to its 2025 XML file validation requirements. Because these changes have been retroactively applied to prior year XML submissions, they will impact all subsequent XML filings for 2024 and earlier.
What has Changed?
- January 12, 2026: CRA updated its XML specifications to require that all XML files for tax years prior to 2025 comply with the 2025 XML specifications.
- January 15, 2025: CRA updated its XML specifications to require that the transmitter information section of all XML files for tax years prior to 2024 comply with the 2024 XML specifications.
How Does This Impact You?
As a result, CRA will now reject all Additional, Amended, and Cancelled XML submissions for prior years unless those files meet the updated 2024 and 2025 XML requirements - even if the original filing had previously been accepted by CRA.
But Don't Worry, We've Made It Easy!
We've created a simple, easy-to-use tool that will:
- Create a duplicate of your original prior-year XML file
- Automatically reformat it to meet CRA’s 2024 and 2025 XML specifications
- Produce an XML file that will pass CRA validation
Best of all, It's Completely Free!
You don't need to be an AvanTax eForms customer to use this tool. It requires no installation. It is completely free. And it can reformat any CRA XML file, even if the file was created with software other than AvanTax eForms.
Whether you’re correcting past filings or supporting clients with amended returns, our free XML reformatting tool ensures your submissions are compliant with CRA's latest XML specification - without re-entering data or upgrading legacy software.
If you have questions or would like help getting started, we’re here to help.
Change Log
- 2025‑01‑28 - T619 record - Reformat tramsmitter data to CRA's 2025‑01‑15 XML specification
- TBA - Add support to reformat T5 XML files to CRA's 2026‑01‑12 XML specification
- 2026‑01‑16 - T5 support added - Reformat T5 XML files to CRA's 2026‑01‑12 XML specification
Impact on AvanTax eForms 2025, 2024 & 2023 and Earlier
- eForms 2025.105 uses CRA's XML specifications of 2025‑01‑15 and 2026‑01‑12
- eForms 2024.115 uses CRA's XML specifications of 2025‑01‑15 and 2026‑01‑12
- eForms 2024.114 uses CRA's XML specification of 2025‑01‑15 but not CRA's XML specification of 2026‑01‑12; CRA XML files created with eForms 2024.114 and earlier must be reformatted before they will be accepted
- eForms 2024 uses CRA's XML specification of 2025‑01‑15 but not CRA's XML specification of 2026‑01‑12 ; CRA XML files created with eForms 2024 must be reformatted with this utility before they will be accepted
- eForms 2023 and earlier cannot be updated to use CRA's XML specifications of 2025‑01‑15 and 2026‑01‑12; CRA XML files created with eForms 2023 and earlier must be reformatted with this utility before they will be accepted