updated by Martin Mayer on 17 May 2011

If you have Internet Security software installed it is likely that it includes a Firewall or some other form of internet restrictions on other software.  The protection benefits of this type of software are numerous although they can hinder use of of internet-reliant software like Tax 2011 unless they are correctly configured.

Problems with Tax 2011 when the Firewall blocks internet access

Tax 2011 requires an internet connection to allow returns to be filed to HMRC and response back from HMRC to be recorded in your Internet Filing History.  Symptoms of blocked (or partially blocked) Tax 2011 include:

• Continual retries and delays on the Tax 2011 - internet filing response screen. 
• Missing internet filing history if the user exits the response screen before a response is received from the gateway (HMRC server)

Solution:

Configure your Firewall software (or hardware) to allow Tax 2011 to connect to the internet.  Configuration will depend on the firewall.  Please refer to your IT technician, documentation or software supplier for further support, instruction and guidance. 

Here is an example of how to configure McAfee Personal Firewall Plus to allow Tax 2011 to connect to the internet.

Configuring McAfee Personal Firewall Plus to allow Tax 2011 to connect to the internet

1) Open your Security (Anti-Malware, Firewall or Anti-Virus) software - in the case of McAfee we are interested in the Firewall.

2) Select [Personal Firewall Plus] and click [View the Internet Applications list]. In other software, this may be labelled as Programs or Exceptions

3) Locate the software in the list.  If Tax 2011 is Blocked then you will have difficulty sending returns to HMRC and receiving HMRC responses to generate Filing History.  If Blocked you will see "BLOCKED" under Permissions against Tax 2011.

4) Click on Tax 2011 in the list and then click [Allow Full Access].  Permissions should now read "Allow Full Access" against Tax 2011.

What is a Firewall?

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Firewalls

External Links

Configure Norton Internet Security

http://www.ctimls.com/Support/KB/How%20To/Configure_Norton_Security.htm