Free and open source · For Mac
Run HMRC's Basic PAYE Tools on your modern Mac. Without the Terminal.
PayrollRTI opens Basic PAYE Tools in a proper Mac window with one double-click. You do not need to type any commands or keep extra windows open.
PayrollRTI is a free community tool. It is not made or endorsed by HMRC. Basic PAYE Tools itself is HMRC's software.
The problem
Why Basic PAYE Tools won't open on newer Macs
Basic PAYE Tools (BPT) is HMRC's free software for employers with fewer than 10 employees. You use it to send your payroll to HMRC each time you pay your staff. This is called Real Time Information, or RTI.
Since macOS Sequoia, BPT does not open properly on its own. HMRC's official fix asks you to open the Terminal app, type commands, keep that window open while you work, and press Ctrl+C when you have finished.
HMRC's workaround
- Open the Terminal app
- Type in a set of commands
- Keep the Terminal window open while you do payroll
- Press Ctrl+C when you have finished
With PayrollRTI
Double-click PayrollRTI. That's it.
What PayrollRTI does
It takes care of the fiddly parts, so you can get on with paying your staff.
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Opens BPT in a proper Mac window
It looks and works like any other app on your Mac. You can find it in your Dock.
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Starts and stops it for you
The part of BPT that runs in the background starts when you open the app and stops when you quit.
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Tells you about HMRC updates
You will see a message when HMRC releases a new version of Basic PAYE Tools.
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Keeps your data on your Mac
PayrollRTI does not send your data anywhere. BPT runs on your own Mac, exactly as before.
Signed and notarised by Apple under the seatofthepants.net Ltd developer account, so your Mac knows where it came from.
How to run Basic PAYE Tools on your Mac
It takes about a minute. You only need to do this once.
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DownloadsPayrollRTI.dmg1
Download PayrollRTI
Select the Download for Mac button. The file goes into your Downloads folder.
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£PayrollRTIAApplications2
Drag it to Applications
Open the file you downloaded. Then drag the PayrollRTI icon onto the Applications folder.
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3Open PayrollRTI
Double-click it in Applications. If you do not have Basic PAYE Tools yet, we will tell you how to get it from GOV.UK.
Don't have Basic PAYE Tools yet?
PayrollRTI will tell you. Select Download from GOV.UK, run HMRC's installer, then come back and select Check Again.
Common questions
Why won't Basic PAYE Tools open on my Mac?
Since macOS Sequoia, the part of Basic PAYE Tools that runs in the background no longer starts by itself. HMRC's help page explains a workaround using the Terminal app. PayrollRTI does this for you, so BPT opens with a double-click again.
Do I still need to use the Terminal?
No. Once PayrollRTI is installed, you do not need to open the Terminal, type commands or press Ctrl+C. Open PayrollRTI and Basic PAYE Tools appears in its own window.
Is this an official HMRC app?
No. PayrollRTI is a free community tool. HMRC made Basic PAYE Tools, and PayrollRTI simply opens it for you. HMRC has not made or endorsed PayrollRTI.
Is my payroll data safe?
Yes. Everything runs on your own Mac. PayrollRTI does not send your data anywhere. Your payroll goes to HMRC through Basic PAYE Tools, in exactly the same way as before.
Does it work on older Intel Macs and newer Apple silicon Macs?
Yes, it works on both.
Which versions of macOS does it work on?
macOS Sequoia (version 15), macOS Tahoe (version 26) and later. To check your version, open the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and choose About This Mac.
What if something goes wrong?
You can report a problem on GitHub. This is a free tool looked after by volunteers, so we cannot promise a reply time. For problems with your payroll itself, contact HMRC.