What is the Novus Compliance Desktop App?
The Novus Compliance Desktop App is a locally installed application that generates FATCA and CRS XML files directly on your machine. No client financial data is uploaded to our servers, stored in any database, or transmitted anywhere. Your data stays with you at all times.
It supports three reporting modules from a single interface:
- FATCA Model 1 — Local Authority Reporting (India, UK, Luxembourg, Canada, Ireland)
- FATCA Model 2 — IRS IDES Submission (Switzerland, Japan, Hong Kong)
- CRS v3.0 — OECD Common Reporting Standard (CRS 2.0 / CRS 3.0 schema)
Before you begin
System
Windows 10 or later. macOS support available on request.
Credentials
Username and password provided by your Novus Compliance administrator.
License Key
Issued at sign-up and entered in the Settings tab after first login.
Excel Template
Download the latest FATCA or CRS template from our Download Templates page.
On this page
Login to the Desktop App
Launch the Novus Compliance Desktop App. Enter the username and password provided by your administrator, then click Secure Login.
On first login, you'll be prompted to change your password and enter your license key in the Settings tab. See Step 9 for details.
Choose your reporting module
After login, the left sidebar shows the four tabs of the app. Select the module that matches your reporting obligation:
| Module | Use when | Output |
|---|---|---|
| FATCA Model 1 | You report to a local tax authority (India, UK, Luxembourg, Canada, Ireland) | FATCA XML v2.0.1 |
| FATCA Model 2 | You file directly with the IRS via IDES (Switzerland, Japan, Hong Kong) | Raw XML + AES-256 encrypted IDES package |
| CRS v3.0 | You report under the OECD Common Reporting Standard | CRS XML Schema v3.0 |
Configure the reporting entity
Before loading any data, you must configure the Reporting Entity fields for your chosen module. The app will display different fields depending on which module you're in.
FATCA Model 1 — Local Authority Reporting
Enter your Reporting GIIN (mandatory) and select your Reporting Jurisdiction from the dropdown (e.g., "US — United States — IRS IDES" or "IN — India — CBDT"). The app shows a help hint confirming which XML element the GIIN populates.
FATCA Model 2 — IRS IDES Submission
FATCA Model 2 requires cryptographic credentials for the encrypted IDES package. Enter:
- Reporting GIIN — your institution's GIIN
- Private Cert (.p12) — click Browse .p12 to select your institution's private key file
- Cert Passphrase — the password protecting the .p12 file
- IRS Cert (.cer) — click Browse .cer to select the IRS public certificate
CRS v3.0 — Data Preparation
For CRS, enter your Reporting FI TIN — the Tax Identification Number of the reporting financial institution. This populates the CRS XML header.
Load your Excel template
Download the correct template for your reporting module from the Download Templates page, fill in your account holder data, and save it as an .xlsx file.
Then, in the app:
- Click Load Excel Template (or Load CRS Excel Template in the CRS module)
- Browse to your completed .xlsx file and select it
- The app will confirm the file name is loaded (replacing "No file selected")
Run the AI validation pipeline
Click Run AI Validation Pipeline (labeled Run Validation Pipeline in the FATCA Model 1 module). The app validates your data across multiple layers — all locally on your machine:
- Input validation — data format, completeness, required fields
- Business rules — FATCA/CRS rules such as "if balance > $50,000, TIN is mandatory"
- AI-assisted anomaly detection — powered by our in-house AI engine to spot data-quality issues
- Schema (XSD) validation — against the official FATCA v2.0.1 or CRS v3.0 schema
Results appear in the Validation Dashboard below, showing each row with its Account Type, Name, Status, and any issue Details.
Fix validation errors
If the validation dashboard shows errors, each row is flagged with a specific Status and a Details message explaining what's wrong. Common issues include:
- Missing or invalid TIN for a reportable account
- Invalid country code (must be ISO 3166-1 alpha-2)
- Malformed GIIN (must follow the
XXXXXX.XXXXX.XX.XXXformat) - Balance formatting (must use
1000.00, no commas) - Missing controlling person for a Passive NFE
Correct the issues in your Excel file, save it, and click Load Excel Template again to re-import. Then re-run the validation.
Generate XML / IDES package
Once the validation dashboard shows all rows as passed, click the generate button for your module:
| Module | Button | Output |
|---|---|---|
| FATCA Model 1 | Generate Model 1 XML | FATCA XML v2.0.1 file, ready for upload to your local tax authority portal |
| FATCA Model 2 | Generate Raw XML or Generate IDES Package | Raw XML (for verification) or AES-256 signed and encrypted .zip for IDES |
| CRS v3.0 | Generate CRS v3.0 XML | CRS XML Schema v3.0 file, ready for upload to your local authority portal |
Upload to tax authority portal
Take your generated file (XML or IDES .zip) and upload it to the relevant tax authority portal:
| Reporting Type | Where to upload |
|---|---|
| FATCA Model 1 (India) | Income Tax Department Insight Portal (Form 61B) |
| FATCA Model 1 (UK) | HMRC AEOI online service |
| FATCA Model 1 (Luxembourg) | ACD portal (SOFIE / FUNDSQUARE) |
| FATCA Model 2 | IRS IDES Gateway |
| CRS (India) | Income Tax Department Insight Portal (Form 61B, Report Type 02) |
| CRS (Other) | Your local tax authority's CRS portal |
See our jurisdiction-specific guides for detailed upload instructions: India, UK, Luxembourg, Ireland, Canada, Switzerland.
Manage settings & license
The Settings tab handles two things:
Change Password
Enter your current password, then your new password twice, and click Update Password. We recommend changing your password if you've shared your workstation or if you suspect your credentials may have been compromised.
Update License Key
Paste your new license key and click Apply New License. The app validates the key and unlocks any additional modules (e.g., upgrading from a single-module to a multi-module license).
Security & privacy
The Desktop App is designed for maximum data privacy. Here's what happens to your data:
| Aspect | Desktop App behavior |
|---|---|
| Data storage | None. Your data is processed in memory and discarded when the XML is generated. |
| Internet connection | Not required for XML generation. The app runs offline. |
| AI validation | Runs locally on your machine — no data sent to any server. |
| Third-party services | None. No connection to OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, or any external AI provider. |
| Training data | Your data is never used to train or improve any AI model. |
Read more in our Privacy Policy and Technology & Security pages.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Desktop App the same as the Cloud Platform?
No. The Cloud Platform is a web-based application hosted on our secure servers. The Desktop App is a locally installed application that runs entirely on your machine. Both generate the same schema-valid XML — but the Desktop App never transmits your data.
Can I use the Desktop App offline?
Yes. XML generation, AI validation, and CRS/FATCA processing all run locally. You only need internet access to download the app, activate your license, and upload the final XML to the tax authority portal.
What certificates do I need for FATCA Model 2?
You need (1) your institution's Private Certificate (.p12) with its passphrase, and (2) the IRS Public Certificate (.cer). Both are available from the IRS FATCA Registration System. If you don't have these, contact your administrator.
Does the AI validation send my data anywhere?
No. The AI validation engine is bundled with the Desktop App and runs entirely on your machine. It is a proprietary in-house system — not a wrapper around any external AI service. Your data is never sent to OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, or any other provider.
What if I have multiple reporting entities?
You can process them one at a time — load the template, run validation, generate XML, then repeat for the next entity. Each run is independent and does not affect previous outputs.
What happens if validation fails?
The Validation Dashboard shows every error with its row number and a description. Fix the issues in your Excel file, reload it, and re-run the pipeline. Only rows marked as "valid" will be included in the generated XML — so no invalid data can reach the tax authority.
How do I get a license key?
License keys are issued when you sign up. Existing customers can request a new key from their account manager or by contacting support.
Can the app handle both FATCA and CRS in one session?
Yes. Use the sidebar to switch between modules. Each module maintains its own settings (GIIN, certificates, jurisdiction) so you don't need to re-enter them.
Does the Desktop App support CRS 2.0 / Schema v3.0?
Yes. The CRS v3.0 module generates XML against the OECD CRS XML Schema v3.0 — including the new crypto, self-certification, and controlling person role fields. See our CRS Reporting Guide for details on what changed.
What if I need to correct a filing?
The Desktop App supports corrections using the standard DocRefID / CorrDocRefID workflow. Use our Correction Filing Checklist to verify every step before submission.
Need help getting started?
Our team can walk you through the Desktop App setup, certificate configuration, and first filing.
Contact Support