XML Standard

General Information

• What is XML?
• Testing of XML document
• XML examples

What is XML?

XML is the international technology standard being used for transfers of data.

This technology improves the quality of the data filed, and makes it easier for our clients and the CRA to make programming changes mandated by new legislation.

To validate your file, you can download the XML schema from our Web site and use it to check that the format of your XML document is correct before you send it to the CRA. The schema is used with your parser to validate your file. Your parser should be a validating parser that checks for the proper file format. You should verify that the validating feature in your parser is turned on before you check your file.

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Testing of XML document

The CRA will not be providing a test service for submissions filed in XML format. You can self-test your submissions by using the XML schema that you download from our Web site, or point your validating parser to the schema file located at : www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/rgstrd/rrsprrif-reerferr/lstng.xsd. You must test your submission before you send it to the CRA. Submissions that contain file format errors will be rejected by the Registered Plans Directorate, and all of the listings within the submission will be considered not filed.

Please verify that the validating feature in your parser is turned on before you check your file.

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XML examples

The XML format uses open and closed tags to hold the reported data. The following example shows the tag syntax. The tag names and constraints are defined in the schema.

Example: Last name = "Smith"
Format is <annuitantLastName>Smith</annuitantLastName>

• maximum 40 alpha characters
• first 40 letters of the annuitant's last name
• seperate tags are used to capture other information
• omit titles such as Mr., Mrs., etc.
• do not include the first name or initials
• omit any extra spaces before and after the tags

Completed XML example (PDF 20KB)

Completed XML example (xml 2KB)

Click here to view an example in PDF format (20KB) of a complete xml file with only two contracts in the listing. This document is both valid and well formed and is validated by pointing to the actual schema, which is located on our Web site. The examples are in .pdf format. If you have trouble reading .pdf files, see this notice.