When trying to view pdf information on the HMRC website you may be presented with a blank page instead of the required information. This occurs when trying to view submitted VAT returns, P60 forms etc.

HMRC are aware of this and have provided 4 possible solutions on their website however for ease of use, the solutions are detailed below.

Solution 1 – Do not save encrypted pages to disk

In Internet Explorer for Windows:

• go to Tools - Internet Options

• Advanced tab

• under Security, ensure the ‘Do not save encrypted pages to disk’ is checked

• click Ok

Solution 2 - Disable 'view in browser' feature

Try disabling the 'View In Browser' or 'Web Browser Integration' feature in your Adobe Acrobat viewer (for plug-in and standard version). Doing this will force your Acrobat viewer to display PDF outside your browser in a separate window.

• open Acrobat/Adobe Reader

• go to Edit - Preferences

• go to Internet

• uncheck ‘Display PDF in browser’

• click

• close Acrobat

Solution 3 - Download PDF to hard drive

In Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or later:

• Right-click (Windows) or hold down the mouse button (Mac OS) on the link to the PDF file, and then choose Save Target As from the pop-up menu.

• In the Save As dialog box, specify a name and location for the PDF file, and then click Save.

• Choose All Files from the Files of Type pop-up menu.

• Select the PDF file you saved in step 2 and click Open. The Acrobat viewer should open the PDF file inside the browser window.

• If the PDF doesn’t load inside the browser then locate the saved file on the PC and double-click to open in Adobe.

Note: If the viewer displays only a blank screen or returns an error after you've downloaded a PDF file to your hard disk, the viewer or the PDF file may be damaged. Exit the browser, restart the viewer, and try to open an Acrobat Online Guide from the viewer's Help menu. If the viewer can't display an online guide, the viewer itself may be damaged and you should contact Acrobat Technical Support. If the viewer correctly displays the online guide, try opening the PDF file you downloaded. If the viewer can display the downloaded PDF file, the PDF file isn't damaged; rather, your browser isn't working with the Acrobat plug-in. If the viewer still displays only a blank screen or returns an error, the PDF file is probably damaged.

Solution 4 - Check Security Options

In Internet Explorer for Windows:

• exit from Internet Explorer and your Acrobat viewer

• start Internet Explorer

• choose Tools > Internet Options and click the Security tab

• choose the appropriate Web content zone for the type of PDF file you're trying to open (for example: Internet or Local Intranet)

• click Custom Level to specify the security setting for this zone

• select Enable for the options labelled 'Download unsigned ActiveX controls' and 'Initialize and script ActiveX Controls not marked as safe'

• click OK and then click OK again

In Internet Explorer for Mac OS:

• Choose Edit - Preferences.

• Click Ratings and then click Options.

• Select the option labelled 'User Can See Sites That Have No Rating,' and click OK. Contact Microsoft for more information on which security settings affect Internet Explorer's ability to download files.

Should you be unable to resolve this issue, you may want to consider downloading Firefox or Opera as an alternative web browser.