Generating the iXBRL Accounts File (3:11)

We are very grateful to our clients for their comments and suggestions, without which these guides would not be possible.
If you have a suggestion to improve this guide or its associated video, please email tracey@ftax.co.uk

Generating the iXBRL Accounts File

This guide shows how to generate the iXBRL Accounts file in order to attach it to the Ftax CT600. 

The Ftax CT600 form includes two Accounts templates which are used to generate iXBRL Accounts files. These can be accessed via the bookmarks on the left towards the bottom:

The CT600 will need to be completed first as various items of data, including the accounting period and Company Number are automatically copied to the accounts section:

To generate an iXBRL Accounts File, begin by selecting either the Micro Entity or Small Company template:

The criteria for deciding whether your company is classed as a Micro Entity or Small Business can be found in the HMRC notes here

Complete the template accounts making sure you add at least one director’s name. You are advised to enter the financial data beginning at the back as many figures are automatically totalled and forwarded:

The accounts must then be signed in two places by clicking the red buttons at the bottom of both the Director’s Report and the Statement of Financial Position/Balance Sheet:

The signatures will have dates automatically added. These may be altered but the format must remain the same. Click the ’x‘ next to the director’s name if you wish to re-sign:

To generate the iXBRL Accounts file, go to the front page of the CT600, click the iXBRL button at the bottom left, and select the IXBRL Accounts option:

After a few seconds a green success screen should appear:

Click the 'login' button on this screen, login to your Ftax Account on the Ftax website, scroll down to the 'Recent PDF Copies/iXBRL Files' section and click 'Download' to save the file in a known location:

If a red Error screen is displayed then check you have entered your email address and try again:

If the problem persists then send in a Support Request and attach the saved CT600 to the support ticket:

Please note: iXBRL files must be handled carefully as they are easily corrupted. They must be generated by either Ftax or other software that complies with the HMRC iXBRL requirement, for example VT software. You can view iXBRL files on your computer but you must not save or amend them. Saving iXBRL files after opening them in a browser will cause corruption and result in an error message when you submit the form to HMRC.

We are very grateful to our clients for their comments and suggestions, without which these guides would not be possible.
If you have a suggestion to improve this guide or its associated video, please email tracey@ftax.co.uk