Submit T4's to CRA - how to download XML file

Hi Mabel_BC,

Having the ability to upload the T4 XML file on the CRA website, is a real time saver.  QuickBooks Online enables the process to completed effortlessly.  I would be glad to assist!

Under T4 Employer Slips, select Preview to make sure all areas are correct. You should be able to proceed to download the XML file that needs to be uploaded to the CRA website.  Here's how;

1. Continue by navigating to the CRA Filing Information Returns Electronically page on the CRA website.

2. Select Internet file transfer

3. Read through the Disclaimer and select I agree

4. Enter the Account number with no dashes or spaces, and the case-sensitive Web access code you received from the CRA.

5. Hit Next

6. Browse to find the T4 XML file on your computer and upload it to the CRA website.

7. Submit your return.
Note: The T4 XML file generated by QuickBooks Online also includes your T4 Summary. You don't need to submit it separately to the CRA.

Should you require additional assistance, I encourage you to contact our QuickBooks Online Payroll specialists at 1-855-253-1536 from Monday to Friday between the hours of 9 AM and 8 PM EST.  They will have the ability to look into any other underlying concerns, and ensure you're able to submit the T4 slips in a timely fashion!

Feel free to reach out again, if you have other questions.  We would be happy to help!

Nevermind. I called QBO. After "View XML". The instructions should read "right mouse click" to "Save Page As...."

It saves the page as a XML file. There is nothing to "download".

Hi Mabel_BC,

Thank you very much for getting back to us with your findings.  We appreciate the information you've provided as it will help many other QuickBooks Community members as well.  I am also making note of this, to ensure I provide accurate information when assisting QuickBooks Online customers, who encounter the same issue, moving forward.  Thanks again!

I spoke too soon...Just received an error message from CRA that they "are unable to process your submission because it does not conform to our specifications. We strongly recommend that you validate all submissions with a validating parser before you file. Please validate your file, correct it and then resend your submission. For further details on filing electronically, please visit canada.ca/taxes-iref. For information or assistance creating an XML file call the Electronic Media Processing Unit at 1-800-665-5164, between 7:00 and 17:00 (EST)." Why did QBO change the process from previous year when it worked well?!?!? This is another example of changes that don't work!!! I'm so frustrated with QBO and their "improvements". I'm assuming you have no say in getting the appropriate QBO dept to call CRA to make sure their XML file conforms to CRA's specifications. What a mess at this critical time of year!!!

Welcome back, Mabel_BC.

Our engineers are aware of this issue and are working on getting this resolved. I recommend reaching out to the support team outside of the Community. They'll be able to attach your account to the list of affected accounts so you can receive email notifications about updates. You can reach out to them by following one of these methods:

Schedule a Callback or start a Chat: select (?)Help in the upper right > type and enter "Contact support" into the QB Assistant > click Contact Us > explain your situation > then hit Let's Talk > choose Get a callback

If you have any other questions, feel free to reach back out here.

Hi 

I'm having the same issue

I am also having this issue. When I called into QB Online Support on Jan 8th they assured me that it wasn't on their end and to call the CRA. When I called the CRA they told me that many people have reported the same issue. When will this be resolved??

Of course it's on QBO's end! QBO changed their procedures and took away the "Export the T4 file" which worked fine in all previous years! Just like the change they made about Stat Pay without telling users nor testing (and now reverted back to the original), this is a mess at a critical time. Good thing I did my T4's early and found out this problem. QBO said their "engineers" are working on the issue. Maybe they'll revert back to what they had last year, because I don't trust them re-programming to something new.

The Stat pay change was also very frustrating. I was getting worried that they wouldn't fix it prior to processing payroll for the double stats on Dec 25th and Jan 1st. It made a lot of extra work for us.

Looks like this has been resolved.
I called in and these are the steps I had to make.

- Go to Payroll Settings > Federal tax > View/Edit
- Change the "T4 Transmitter Number" to 555555 and save
- Go to Payroll Tax > Archive
- Delete the T4 Employee Slips from the drop down menu. This should automatically delete the T4 Summary and T4 Employer Slips as well
- Go back to Payroll Tax
- Go to File T4 Employer Slips and then it should pop open a side screen with the option to Download the XML File properly.

The file shows up now on the CRA website so it has not been rejected.

My file didn't save as an XML file... it saves as a Microsoft edge file UGHHHH

This is not working.. I have Quickbooks desktop and every time I try to upload it creates a Microsoft Edge DUMP file... Can someone please help

Call 1-855-253-1536. Hopefully they can help you. I did my T4's via QB Desktop and had no troubles (probably because they didn't change anything nor tried to "improve" anything). It was QBO that I encountered issues, but now it looks like they fixed everything.

Hi Akman Construction,

In QuickBooks Desktop, the file name for T4 slips is set by default as .xml.  I encourage you to contact our QuickBooks Desktop support team at 1-833-317-2226.  They'll have the ability to work with you in real-time and look further into this from their end, so you can file your T4 slips without delay!

If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to reach out again.  We would be glad to assist!

I am receiving this message too! Previous years worked ok but this year I'm having an issue. Eager to figure out a solution so I dont need to manually enter everything

Hi CMarchand83,

If you've tried all of the steps provided in this thread and are still experiencing the same result, I recommend contacting us at 1-855-253-1536 from Monday to Friday between the hours of 9 AM and 8 PM EST.  It will be our pleasure to work with you directly, and ensure you're able to complete your QuickBooks Online Payroll goals without delay!

If you have any other areas of concern, please don't hesitate to touch base with us again.  We're here to help!

Hi

i have the same issue, i don't see option to download XMLS file for T4 summery, there is only VIEW option, can someone help please?

Thanks

Hello a-dav4,

Once you've created and filed T4 slips, they will be archived.  However, you can delete and recreate the forms, click on Review, then make sure to right click and and choose Save as, then choose .xml format, before marking them as Filed.   Here's how to re-create them;

1. Open Payroll, then Payroll tax

2. Select the Filings tab, then Archive

3. From the ▼ dropdown menu on T4 Employee slips, select Delete. 

This will remove the forms from the archive and let you to re-create the T4s. You're all set and able to Prepare and submit T4 slips and summary.

Let us know if this is helpful.  We'll be close by!

Good morning,

I am getting the same error as you. Did you get yours resolved?

I am getting the same error as you. Did you get this resolved.

Yes, it was resolved a week later. I had to call them at 1855-253-1536. You need to delete the T4 files and then try again, and the option to download the xml file will magically appear, although I had to do it twice (one rep was more helpful and knowledgeable than the other). Good luck. 

Hello Sherry48. It's important you get the support you need. To get started, have you been in touch with our phone support team for further investigation?