Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.
AIA

Apple Mac users denied online tax return filing access

by
25th Dec 2005
Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.

Internet

It would appear that the Revenue is only keen to have Window-based PC users filing their tax returns online, and is not offering the service to Apple Mac users.

A letter to the Guardian on 29 April reveals that Mac users are being discriminated against by the Revenue when it come to online filing.

The letter reads:

"For the past two years I have filed my tax return over the internet and found it quick and efficient, but the collectors have now denied me access. If I had a Windows operating system - even as old as 98 - I could access the self-assessment site. However, I use Mac's 9.2.2 operating system, which is no good for the IR bods.

It is only because I am due a rebate that I am so keen to file. Less fortunate Mac owners will no doubt have to wait to find out that the IR has disenfranchised them.
Barry Hughes
Brighton "

Tell us your story
Taxzone would like to hear from anyone else who has encountered this problem or knows about it. Please add a comment at the bottom of this item.

Tags:

Replies (5)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

David Ross
By davidross
05th May 2004 23:08

Hello Mac Users
Just to let you know there is someone promoting your interests

As a Mac user since 1984 I was damned if I was going to knuckle down and convert to Windows when Self Assessment was introduced so I wrote my own program

For the past 8 years I have been publishing Tax Manager (a Filemaker Runtime program) which ironically also works on Windows

We are not internet ready yet, but this is coming soon due to the very effective pressure of the online filing incentives on our other product, Wages Clerk

Visit us at www.taxoffice.co.uk

Regards

David Ross

Thanks (0)
avatar
By AnonymousUser
06th May 2004 15:41

It can be done.
I agree you can file with a Mac. I've done it for the last two years on an original iMac running OS 9.2.2. This year, once I'd collected all the stuff together, it only took twenty minutes to enter it on-line and I was so impressed I e-mailed the Revenue to congratulate them!

Thanks (0)
avatar
By AnonymousUser
03rd May 2004 14:33

Early adopters
What's crazy about this is that Mac users have a history of generally being the first to adpot new ways of doing things, especially when over the internet.

I know that I'd be keen on entering my tax return on-line (via my Mac) this year, rather than ploughing through the forms like I have before.

Thanks (0)
avatar
By Simon Sweetman
04th May 2004 10:21

mac users
Having started this hare running (and not quite believed it)I can say that it is not true !

To use Inland Revenue Online Services, you require:

Operating System and Browser requirements

PC Users:

* Operating system: Windows 98 or above (i.e. Windows ME/NT/2000/XP)

* Internet browsers: Internet Explorer 5.0 or above; Netscape 4.75;
Opera 6.0


Mac Users:

* Operating system: Mac OS9 or above

* Internet browsers: Internet Explorer 5.1; Netscape 4.77


Thanks (0)
avatar
By tomgorham12
05th May 2004 16:46

No problem
I can confirm there's absolutely no problem using the IR service on a Mac.

Thanks (0)