A P60 is an important annual tax document you get from your employer. It shows how much money you earned and how much tax you paid. It is an annual certificate of your earnings and deductions.
Issuing P60s to employees is part of an employer’s annual payroll reporting obligations and tasks.
Employers do not send a P60 to an employee who left the business before the end of the tax year. Such employees receive a P45. A P45 is a statement given to employees leaving a business. It contains similar information.
What You Need to Know About Your P60
Every year, if you work and pay tax through PAYE (Pay As You Earn), your employer must give you a P60 after the tax year ends on 5 April. You should get your P60 by 31 May at the latest.
Key Facts
- It’s free, and your employer must issue it to you
- You can get it on paper or by email
- It covers one full tax year (6 April to 5 April)
| Category | Data Point | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Deadline | 31 May | Employers must provide P60s by this date after tax year-end |
| Tax Year Coverage | 6 April to 5 April | Period covered by each P60 document |
| Employee Coverage | All PAYE workers | Required for every employee on payroll at year-end |
| Digital Adoption | Increasing | Most employers now issue electronic P60s unless exempt |
| Common Uses | Multiple | Mortgage applications, tax refund claims, loan applications, benefits claims |
| Employer Compliance | Mandatory | Legal requirement with penalties for non-compliance |
| Key Information | Elements | Total earnings, tax paid, NI contributions, deductions, tax code, employer details, personal information |
What’s On Your P60
Your P60 contains essential information about your money. Here’s what you will find:
Employee Details
- Your name
- Your National Insurance number
- Your tax code
Employer Details
- Your employer’s name, address and PAYE reference number
Money Information
- Total pay for the tax year in current and previous employment
- How much income tax you paid
- National Insurance contributions
- Statutory payments such as statutory maternity and paternity pay
- Any student loan deductions
P60 Sample
Why Your P60 is Important
You need your P60 for many things. Common uses include:
- Getting a mortgage
- Claiming back overpaid tax
- Applying for tax credits
- Applying for loans
- Proving your salary
- Filling in tax returns
Getting Your P60
The P60 can be sent in paper form or digitally. Both are equally valid.
Most employers produce the P60 using payroll or accounting software such as Xero and send it to employees by email.
- Check your email
- Contact your employer
- Use your online personal tax account to view the information that would be on the P60
- Contact HMRC if you still need help
If you have not received your P60 by 31 May, you should first ask your employer. If the employer refuses to supply your P60, you should inform HMRC.
Employers can be issued a penalty for not supplying a P60 on time. Failure to deliver may also lead to an HMRC investigation of the employer.
Checking the Information on the P60
Employees can access their Personal Tax Account (PTA) to check that the information on their P60 matches what is held by HMRC.
Employers transmit information on the P60 to HMRC as part of their regular payroll processes. The employer’s payroll system and HMRC’s should have the same information, but errors can occur.
P60 vs P45 – Differences
Many people mix up P60s and P45s. Here’s how they’re different:
| Document | When You Get It | What It’s For |
|---|---|---|
| P60 | Every year by 31 May | Shows annual earnings |
| P45 | When you leave a job | Shows earnings until leaving |
Important Dates to Remember
- 5 April – Tax year ends
- 6 April – The new tax year starts
- 31 May – Deadline to get your P60
- 31 January – Self-assessment deadline if you need to do one
Using Your P60 for Mortgages
Mortgage lenders often ask for P60s. They use them to:
- Check your income
- See if you can afford payments
- Look at your employment history
- Verify your tax status
National Insurance and Your P60
Your P60 shows your National Insurance contributions, which can impact your state pension.
Tax Codes on Your P60
Your tax code tells HMRC how much tax you should pay, and can be found on your P60.
- It comprises letters and numbers
- Shows your tax status
- Changes if your situation changes
- It affects your take-home pay
This guide covers everything you need to know about your P60. Keep it handy when you need to use your P60 for anything important. Remember, it’s an essential document proving your income and tax payments.
