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eFile on Google Chrome/Microsoft Edge

Using the eFile system with Google Chrome/Microsoft Edge

The BEA eFile PDFs will only work with Adobe Acrobat or Reader (click here for more information). If you are using the Google Chrome browser or the latest Chromium based version of Microsoft Edge, you may experience a problem with the BEA eFile system. These browsers, by default, utilize a built-in PDF viewer that is not compatible with BEA eFile PDF forms. If you click the download button and the forms open in a browser tab, it means that the browser has used its built-in PDF viewer and not Adobe Acrobat. The buttons on the form will not work and you may see a message that says "Please Wait... Updating Form Data" that never goes away. If this happens, first make sure that Adobe Acrobat or Reader is your default PDF viewer (click HERE for more information) and then use one of the three methods below:

Method 1


  • Make sure Adobe Acrobat or Reader is the default PDF viewer. See the link above.
  • Enter the following in the URL bar of the Chrome or Edge Browser: chrome://settings/content/pdfDocuments or edge://settings/content/pdfDocuments.
  • In Chrome, make sure that "Download PDFs" is selected. In Edge, make sure the option "Always Download PDF files" is OFF
  • You can close this tab and then try to download the eFile PDF again, they should open in Adobe Acrobat.

Method 2

  • Make sure Adobe Acrobat or Reader is the default PDF viewer. See the link above.
  • Click the download button for the eFile form you are filing.
  • When the download has completed, you will see the file name in the bottom of your Chrome window or in the upper right of your Edge window.
  • Click the small arrow (caret) in Chrome or right click the filename in Edge and choose "Open With System Viewer" or "Always Open With System Viewer". It should then open in Adobe. You may need to click on the file name after changing the settings.

Method 3

  • Click the download button for the eFile form you are filing.
  • When the download has completed, you will see the file name in the bottom of your Chrome window or in the upper right of your Edge window.
  • Do NOT click the file name to open the file.
  • Open your Adobe Acrobat or Reader window.
  • From your Adobe window, use the "File" then "Open" menu items and locate the downloaded PDF file in your "Downloads" folder.

If none of these work, call or email the eFile helpdesk at eFile@bea.gov or 301-278-9401.