Pay, Payslips & Employee Benefits UKP60 and P45 Explained UK — What They Are and When You Need Them
What are P60 and P45 forms? When you get them, what they show, how to get replacements, and why they matter for tax, benefits, and employment.
P60s and P45s are essential tax documents. Here’s what they are, when you need them, and what to do if you’ve lost yours.
The P60
What Is a P60?
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| What | Year-end tax summary |
| Period | 6 April to 5 April |
| From | Your employer |
| When | By 31 May each year |
| Who gets one | Anyone employed on 5 April |
What It Shows
| Information | Details |
|---|
| Your name | And NI number |
| Employer | Name and PAYE reference |
| Gross pay | Total before deductions |
| Tax deducted | Income tax for year |
| NI contributions | Employee NI paid |
| Student Loan | If applicable |
| Tax code | Used for the year |
Sample P60 Layout
| Field | Example |
|---|
| Total pay in year | £32,500.00 |
| Total tax | £4,100.00 |
| Employee NI | £2,497.92 |
| Final tax code | 1257L |
When You Get One
| If On 5 April… | You Get |
|---|
| Employed by them | P60 from that employer |
| Multiple employers | P60 from each |
| Left in March | No P60 — got P45 |
You Must Have One
| Important | Details |
|---|
| Legal requirement | Employer must provide |
| Deadline | 31 May |
| Format | Paper or electronic |
| Keep it safe | You’ll need it |
The P45
What Is a P45?
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| What | Statement when leaving job |
| When | Final pay from employer |
| Purpose | Transfer tax info to new job |
| Parts | 4 parts total |
What It Shows
| Information | Details |
|---|
| Leaving date | When employment ended |
| Pay to date | Tax year earnings with them |
| Tax paid | What they deducted |
| Tax code | Your code with them |
| NI number | Your personal number |
| Employer details | Who you’re leaving |
The Four Parts
| Part | Who Gets It |
|---|
| Part 1 | Sent to HMRC by employer |
| Part 1A | Keep for your records |
| Part 2 | Give to new employer |
| Part 3 | Give to new employer |
| Important | Don’t lose parts 2 and 3! |
When You Get One
| Receive P45 When | |
|---|
| Resign | Yes |
| Made redundant | Yes |
| Contract ends | Yes |
| Dismissed | Yes |
| Retired | Yes |
Starting a New Job
| Situation | Outcome |
|---|
| Give P45 to new employer | Correct tax code continues |
| No P45 available | Complete starter checklist |
| No documentation | Emergency tax code (higher) |
When You Need These Documents
P60 Uses
| Purpose | Why |
|---|
| Self-assessment tax return | Declare employment income |
| Mortgage application | Prove income |
| Benefit claims | Evidence of earnings |
| Tax refund claims | Prove overpayment |
| State Pension forecast | NIC record |
| Pension queries | Historical contributions |
P45 Uses
| Purpose | Why |
|---|
| New employer | Correct tax from start |
| Claiming benefits | If unemployed |
| Tax refund | If overpaid after leaving |
| Pension claims | Some require it |
Lost or Missing Documents
P60 Lost?
| Option | How |
|---|
| Ask employer | May provide statement |
| HMRC online | Check personal tax account |
| Call HMRC | Request tax breakdown |
| Note | Employer not legally required to reissue |
P45 Lost?
| Important | Cannot be reissued |
|---|
| Ask old employer | For letter confirming pay/tax |
| New employer | Can use starter checklist |
| HMRC | Has the tax records |
| Emergency tax | May apply temporarily |
| Source | What You Can Get |
|---|
| Personal Tax Account | Employment history, tax records |
| HMRC helpline | Historical info |
| Old employer | Payroll records, letter |
| Payslips | Calculate totals yourself |
Emergency Tax
What Is Emergency Tax?
| Situation | Details |
|---|
| No P45 given | New employer doesn’t know your position |
| Uses emergency code | Usually 1257L M1 or 1257L W1 |
| Non-cumulative | Ignores earnings elsewhere |
| May pay more tax | Temporarily |
How to Fix It
| Step | Action |
|---|
| 1 | Provide P45 if found |
| 2 | Or complete starter checklist correctly |
| 3 | HMRC updates employer |
| 4 | Overpayment refunded in later payslip |
Starter Checklist
| If No P45 | New employer gives you checklist |
|---|
| Statement A | First job since 6 April |
| Statement B | Only job, had previous |
| Statement C | Second job |
Keeping Records
How Long to Keep
| Document | Keep For |
|---|
| P60 | 22 months minimum (longer ideal) |
| P45 (your copy) | 22 months minimum |
| Payslips | At least current year |
| Self-assessment records | 5 years after deadline |
Storage Tips
| Tip | Reason |
|---|
| Digital copies | Photo or scan |
| Store safely | Password protected |
| Keep originals | Some requests need them |
| Organised by year | Easy to find |
Common Questions
Multiple Jobs
| Situation | P60 |
|---|
| Two jobs on 5 April | P60 from each |
| Left one in January, have one in April | P45 from first, P60 from second |
Self-Employed
| Situation | Documents |
|---|
| Only self-employed | No P60 or P45 |
| Employed AND self-employed | P60 from employment |
| Company director | P60 if salaried |
Retired
| Situation | Documents |
|---|
| Private pension | P60 from pension provider |
| State Pension | Statement from DWP |
| Former employer pension | P60 from administrator |
Summary: P60 and P45 Quick Reference
P60
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| What | Tax year summary |
| When | By 31 May |
| From | Every employer on 5 April |
| Keep for | 22+ months |
| Use | Tax returns, mortgages, benefits |
P45
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| What | Leaving statement |
| When | When you leave a job |
| Parts 2 & 3 | For new employer |
| Part 1A | Keep yourself |
| If lost | Use starter checklist |
Key Actions
| Action | Done |
|---|
| Store documents safely | ☐ |
| Check P60 accuracy | ☐ |
| Give P45 to new employer | ☐ |
| Keep copy of P45 | ☐ |
| Register for Personal Tax Account | ☐ |
| Service | Contact |
|---|
| HMRC | 0300 200 3300 |
| Personal Tax Account | gov.uk |
| Employer | Payroll department |
These documents matter. They’re your proof of what you earned and what tax you paid. Keep them safe and check them when you receive them — mistakes happen, and catching them early saves hassle later.
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