Guidance: Basic PAYE Tools: service availability and issues

Imported from official source

January 01, 2014 00:00

Basic PAYE Tools does not open after an Apple Mac operating system update

We are aware that some customers have been unable to open Basic PAYE Tools after updating their Apple Mac operating system (macOS). This issue is known to affect customers using the latest macOS operating system versions: 15 ‘Sequoia’, 26 ‘Tahoe’ and 27 ‘Golden Gate’.

The following workaround should enable you to access Basic PAYE Tools. These steps will need to be carried out each time you need to use Basic PAYE Tools:

1. Close Basic PAYE Tools completely and open ‘Terminal’ on your Apple Mac (select ‘Go’ at the top of your desktop and then Applications > Utilities > Terminal).

2. Copy and paste this command, then press Enter:

cd “/Applications/Basic PAYE Tools.app/Contents/Helpers/rti.app/Contents/MacOS”

3. Next, copy and paste this separate command, then press Enter:

4. Leave ‘Terminal’ open’ and then open an internet browser (for example, Safari) and copy and paste the following website into the address bar, then press Enter:

Basic PAYE Tools will now show in the internet browser and can be used as normal.

Please do not open the normal Basic PAYE Tools application while this is running. Through the entire time of using Basic PAYE Tools in the internet browser, make sure you keep the ‘Terminal’ open.

Once you have finished using Basic PAYE Tools, press Ctrl+C in ‘Terminal’ to stop the server and you can close the ‘Terminal’ window.

We are aware that Apple plans to end support for Intel-based applications on Apple Silicon Macs from autumn 2027. Basic PAYE Tools (BPT) will continue to operate as normal throughout the 2026 to 2027 tax year. We are assessing the impact of this change for future releases.

Some security products may display warnings when downloading Basic PAYE Tools because they do not recognise the latest release.

It is safe to bypass warnings and allow Basic PAYE Tools to install, run, and submit data online.

You should ensure your security software is kept fully up to date.

This is an extract. The publication continues at the source.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Licence

Read the original at the source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/basic-paye-tools-service-availability-and-issues

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Organization: HM Revenue and Customs — imported from official source
Official source: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs.atom ATOM
Imported: September 29, 2026 12:00
Versions: 1 recorded
Identity: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/basic-paye-tools-service-availability-and-is...