On 17 June 2026, the Cayman Islands Department for International Tax Cooperation (“DITC“) issued an Industry Advisory outlining important updates to the Common Reporting Standard (“CRS“) and Economic Substance (“ES“) reporting requirements.
Financial Institutions (“FIs“) are reminded that the deadline for submitting 2025 CRS XML files and Filing Declarations is 31 July 2026. Critically, the DITC Portal will close for CRS XML submissions in early August 2026 due to the transition to XML Schema version 3.0 and will not reopen until early 2027. This closure does not extend the filing deadline for CRS Reportable Accounts related to the 2025 Reporting Year, making timely compliance essential.
When the DITC Portal reopens in 2027, all new filings, corrections, and deletions must use the updated XML Schema v3.0. The DITC will no longer provide its XML generator tool, so FIs should make alternative arrangements.
Updated Individual and Entity Self-Certification Forms—aligned with the 2025 Amendment Regulations that became effective 1 January 2026—are now available.
Additionally, updated administration forms and CRS industry guidance are anticipated in Q3 2026.
Two-factor authentication will become mandatory for all access to the DITC Portal, with implementation expected in Q3 2026.
The DITC will no longer send courtesy reminder emails to Responsible Persons in advance of ES filing deadlines. From ESN Year 2025 onwards, reminders will only appear via the DITC Portal’s messaging banner. Relevant entities must ensure they independently track and meet all ES reporting obligations including the timely annual filing of ESNs by 31 January and of ES returns or Tax Resident Overseas Forms within 12 months of the entity’s financial year end (as applicable).
The Maples Group has extensive experience in advising on CRS and ES compliance obligations. Please reach out to your usual Maples’ contact if we can be of assistance.
