You must have a Portable Document Format (PDF) viewer installed on your computer before you can use a PDF form. HMRC recommends that you use the latest version of Adobe Reader software that's compatible with your computer.
Downloading Adobe Reader is free and only takes a couple of minutes. Other PDF viewers may allow you to open a PDF form, but when using interactive forms (ones that you complete on screen) some of the features may not work correctly.
Download the latest version of Adobe Reader (Opens new window)
If you're trying to use an interactive form and see a blank page or a screen that says 'please wait', first check that you have the latest version of Adobe Reader installed. If you do not, see the guidance above about downloading a copy.
If you do have the latest version of Adobe Reader and you still have problems, try saving a copy of the form to a suitable location. If you're using an Apple MAC, you will need to select CTRL and click the link to save a copy of the form. If you are using Google Chrome, you will need to select the 'save' icon which is located with five other icons at the bottom right of your screen.
Once you have saved a copy of the form, open it using Adobe Reader. If you're using an Apple MAC, you will need to right click on the file and choose to open with Adobe Reader.
If you get a system error message when you try and open an interactive form, check that your browser language is set to English (UK).
HMRC recommends that you use Adobe Reader to complete their interactive forms. If the PDF opens with a different viewer and you're having problems, try saving the form and opening it with Adobe Reader instead. If you are using an Apple MAC then this will use its own PDF viewer by default. To stop this, right click on your file and choose to open with Adobe Reader.
HMRC interactive forms don't yet work on smartphones or tablets. Please use your computer to complete the form instead.
