Xero to CT600: Import Your Trial Balance

Using Xero for your bookkeeping? This guide shows you how to export your trial balance and import it into CT600 software for faster corporation tax filing.

Overview

Step	Time
Export from Xero	2 minutes
Format (if needed)	2 minutes
Import to CT600	2 minutes
Map accounts	5-10 minutes (first time)
Total	~15 minutes

Compare this to manual entry: 30-60 minutes with risk of errors.

Step 1: Export Trial Balance from Xero

Navigate to Reports

1. Log into Xero
2. Click Accounting in the top menu
3. Select Reports
4. Under "Accounting" section, click Trial Balance

Set the Correct Date

1. In the "Date" field, enter your accounting period end date
2. For example: 31/03/2025 for March year-end
3. Click Update

Check the Report

Before exporting, verify:

• Correct period end date shown
• Trial balance balances (debits = credits)
• All expected accounts appear
• No obviously wrong figures

Export to CSV

1. Click Export button (top right)
2. Select CSV
3. File downloads to your computer

Step 2: Review the Export

What Xero Exports

Your CSV file will contain:

Column	Content
Account Code	Your nominal codes
Account Name	Account descriptions
Account Type	Category
Debit	Debit balances
Credit	Credit balances
YTD Debit	Year-to-date debits
YTD Credit	Year-to-date credits

Which Columns Matter

For CT600 import, you typically need:

• Account Code
• Account Name
• Debit (or balance)
• Credit (or balance)

Most CT600 software can handle the Xero format directly.

Step 3: Import to CT600 Software

Using TinyTax

1. Log into TinyTax
2. Select your company
3. Go to "Accounts" or "Import Trial Balance"
4. Click "Upload CSV"
5. Select your Xero export file
6. Click "Import"

First-Time Setup

The first import requires account mapping:

Xero Account	CT600 Category
4000 Sales	Trading income
5000 Cost of sales	Trading expenses
6000 Rent	Premises costs
7100 Depreciation	Disallowed expenses

Save your mappings for future imports.

Common Xero Account Mappings

Standard Xero Chart of Accounts

Code	Account	Maps To
200	Sales	Box 145 (Turnover)
260	Other Revenue	Box 145 or 172
270	Interest Income	Box 172
310	Cost of Sales	Trading expenses
400	Advertising	Trading expenses
404	Bank Fees	Trading expenses
412	Consulting & Accounting	Professional fees
420	Entertainment	Disallowed
449	Office Expenses	Trading expenses
461	Depreciation	Disallowed
469	Subscriptions	Trading expenses
489	Wages & Salaries	Staff costs

Balance Sheet Accounts

Code	Account	Use
090	Fixed Assets	Balance sheet
091	Acc. Depreciation	Balance sheet
610	Bank	Balance sheet
620	Petty Cash	Balance sheet
800	Trade Creditors	Balance sheet
810	Trade Debtors	Balance sheet

Handling Xero-Specific Issues

Issue: "Account Type" Column Confuses Import

Solution: Some CT600 software ignores extra columns. If not, delete the "Account Type" column before importing.

Issue: Multiple Currency Columns

Solution: If you use multi-currency in Xero, export in base currency. Delete foreign currency columns if they cause issues.

Issue: Header Row Problems

Solution: Some software expects no header, others require it. Try both, or edit the CSV to match.

Issue: Blank Rows

Solution: Open in Excel, delete any blank rows, save as CSV again.

Xero Tips for Better CT600 Filing

Use Tracking Categories

If your company has multiple activities (e.g., trading and property), use Xero tracking categories to separate them.

Export trial balance by tracking category for easier CT600 allocation.

Regular Reconciliation

Before exporting:

• Reconcile all bank accounts
• Clear bank rules
• Review and approve pending items

A clean trial balance means fewer CT600 adjustments.

Standardise Account Names

If you've customised Xero's chart of accounts:

• Use clear, consistent names
• Avoid abbreviations
• Include category hints in names

This makes account mapping easier.

Lock the Period

After exporting, lock the period in Xero:

1. Settings → General Settings
2. Financial settings
3. Set "Lock dates"

This prevents changes that would make your CT600 figures wrong.

Matching Xero to CT600 Periods

Xero's Financial Year

Check your Xero financial year matches your Companies House accounting reference date:

1. Settings → General Settings
2. Financial settings
3. Financial year end

If Periods Don't Match

If Xero and Companies House have different year-ends:

1. Run trial balance to your Companies House year-end
2. Don't use the automatic "Financial Year End" option
3. Enter the specific date

Advanced: Xero API Integration

For Developers/Accountants

Some CT600 software offers direct Xero API integration:

• No manual export needed
• Data pulled automatically
• Stays in sync

Check if your CT600 software supports this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import comparative figures?

Export two trial balances (this year and last year) and import both, or let CT600 software fetch prior year from HMRC.

What about unpublished invoices?

Xero includes all invoices in the trial balance. Ensure draft/awaiting approval invoices are handled correctly for your accounting method.

Can I make adjustments after import?

Yes. The import gives you a starting point. You can adjust figures in the CT600 software.

What if my chart of accounts is non-standard?

You'll need to map accounts manually. Consider standardising Xero for easier future imports.

Checklist

Before Export

• Bank accounts reconciled
• Correct period end date
• No pending transactions

Export

• Navigate to Reports → Trial Balance
• Set correct date
• Export to CSV

Import

• Upload to CT600 software
• Map accounts (first time)
• Review imported figures
• Make adjustments if needed

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Related guides:

• Trial Balance Import Guide
• QuickBooks Trial Balance to CT600