How do I connect Xero to TinyTax?

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id: xero-integration title: How do I connect Xero to TinyTax? category: procedures tags: [Xero, integration, trial balance, API, connect, refresh, re-import, accounting software, figures dont match, profit difference, taxable profit, accounting profit] applies_to: [trading, property, all] difficulty: beginner last_updated: 2026-03-24 related: [importing-from-trial-balance, filing-your-first-ct600, understanding-your-tax-calculation]

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@AdamsWinter connects directly to your Xero account via Xero's API. Once connected, your trial balance is imported automatically — no CSV exports or manual data entry needed.

Connecting Your Xero Account

Step 1: Start the Connection

Visit adamswinter.com/xero or click Connect to Xero from the integration page.

Step 2: Authorise Access

You'll be redirected to Xero's login page. Sign in and authorise read-only access. @AdamsWinter can only read your reports — it never modifies your Xero data.

Step 3: Select Your Organisation

If you have multiple organisations in Xero, choose the one you want to file for. @AdamsWinter matches it to a Companies House company number.

Step 4: Start Filing

After connecting, you're taken straight to the CT600 form. Your trial balance is fetched automatically from Xero and mapped to the correct CT600 boxes.

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What Gets Imported

When you connect Xero, @AdamsWinter imports:

Prior Year Comparatives:

• P&L comparatives are fetched from Xero (using the prior period end date)
• Balance sheet comparatives come from Companies House where available, with Xero as a fallback

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Refreshing Your Data After Updating Xero

If you've updated your accounts in Xero and want @AdamsWinter to pull in the latest figures:

Option 1: Re-import via the Import Button

1. On the submission form, click the Import button in the P&L or Balance Sheet section:

1. Click New Import in the modal header
2. @AdamsWinter fetches a fresh trial balance from Xero automatically
3. Review the updated mappings and click Use this mapping

Option 2: Change the Period End Date

If you change the accounting period end date on the form, @AdamsWinter automatically fetches a fresh trial balance from Xero for the new date. This happens in the background — no action needed.

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Disconnecting Xero

Your Xero connection is tied to your @AdamsWinter session. To disconnect:

• Start a new filing without using the Xero connection
• Revoke access in Xero: Go to Xero Settings > Connected Apps > find @AdamsWinter > Remove

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Troubleshooting

"Connection failed" or "Something went wrong"

This usually means the Xero authorisation was cancelled or timed out.

1. Try connecting again from adamswinter.com/xero
2. Make sure you click Allow on Xero's authorisation page
3. If using a pop-up blocker, allow pop-ups for adamswinter.com

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"No organisations found"

Your Xero account must have at least one organisation. If you're a Xero advisor, make sure you're signing in with an account that has an organisation linked.

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"The mappings look wrong"

@AdamsWinter maps Xero account codes automatically, but some custom chart of accounts may not map perfectly.

1. Review the suggested mappings after import
2. Drag any incorrectly mapped accounts to the correct category
3. Click Use this mapping to apply

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"My figures don't match Xero"

There are two different situations here — and the fix is different for each.

If the P&L figures (turnover, expenses) don't match Xero:

Check that:

• Your Xero bookkeeping is complete (all invoices posted, bank reconciled)
• The period end date in @AdamsWinter matches the trial balance date in Xero
• No draft or awaiting approval invoices are included in your Xero figures
• All accounts are mapped to the correct P&L categories — review the import mappings and drag any misallocated accounts to the right category

If the profit figure in the Tax Computation is different from Xero's net profit:

This is expected. @AdamsWinter calculates your taxable profit, which differs from your Xero accounting profit. The most common reason is depreciation:

• Xero includes depreciation as an expense, which reduces your accounting profit
• For corporation tax, depreciation is not tax-deductible — it is added back in the tax computation
• You then claim capital allowances (AIA) instead, which is the tax-approved deduction for asset costs

So if your Xero net profit is £40,000 and you have £5,000 depreciation with no AIA claim, your taxable profit will be £45,000.

See Understanding Your Tax Calculation for a full explanation of how @AdamsWinter gets from accounting profit to taxable profit.

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"Prior year figures are missing or wrong"

Prior year data comes from two sources:

• Balance sheet: Companies House (if previously filed)
• P&L comparatives: Xero (fetched for the prior period end date)

If prior year P&L is missing, check that your Xero data exists for the prior period.

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Xero vs CSV Import

Feature	Xero API (Direct)	CSV Import
Export from Xero manually	No	Yes
Auto-maps to CT600 boxes	Yes	Yes
Prior year comparatives	Automatic	Not included
Refresh after changes	Re-import in one click	Re-export and re-upload

For the fastest workflow, use the direct Xero connection. If you prefer manual control or can't connect, CSV import works just as well for current year figures.

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Still Having Issues?

Our team can help troubleshoot Xero connection problems.

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Last updated: March 2026