P60 explained — what it is, what to check, and how to use it

Your P60 is one of the most important tax documents you will receive as a UK employee. Issued once a year by your employer, it provides a complete summary of everything you earned and every pound of tax deducted across the entire tax year. Misplacing it or ignoring it is a mistake thousands of workers make — and it can cost you money if you are entitled to a refund.

What is a P60 and when do you get it?

A P60 (formally called an "End of Year Certificate") is issued to every employee who was on the payroll on the last day of the tax year, which is always 5th April. Your employer has until 31st May to issue your P60 — so if you haven't received it by June, you should chase your HR or payroll department.

Importantly, if you left a job before 5th April, you will not receive a P60 from that employer. You will have received a P45 when you left, which served a similar function for that period of employment.

What does a P60 show?

A standard P60 contains the following cumulative totals for the complete tax year (6th April to 5th April):

• Total Pay: Your total gross earnings from this employer across the year, including any bonuses, overtime, and statutory pay like sick pay or maternity pay.
• Total Tax Deducted: The total amount of Income Tax paid via PAYE throughout the year.
• Total National Insurance Contributions: Your cumulative employee NI deductions for the year.
• Your Tax Code at Year End: The code applied to your final payslip, typically 1257L for a standard single-job employee.
• Student Loan Deductions: If applicable, total student loan repayments made during the year.
• Employer's PAYE Reference: Identifies your employer to HMRC.

Why is your P60 so important?

Beyond being a simple year-end summary, your P60 serves critical real-world functions across several areas of your financial life:

• Tax Refund Claims: The P60 is the document you use when claiming a tax refund from HMRC using form R40. Without it, HMRC cannot process your claim. This is particularly relevant if you were unemployed for part of the year, worked reduced hours, or switched jobs.
• Mortgage Applications: Every mortgage lender in the UK requires at least two years of P60s as proof of income. Self-certification mortgages no longer exist in the UK post-2014, making P60s a legal requirement for any mortgage application.
• Self Assessment Tax Returns: If you complete a Self Assessment return, you use your P60 figures to populate the employment income section. Using incorrect figures can trigger an HMRC investigation.
• Benefits & Credit Claims: Universal Credit, tax credits, and housing benefit all use your P60 gross annual income for means-testing calculations.

What to do if you have lost your P60

Unlike a P45, your employer can issue a duplicate P60. Simply contact your payroll department and request a reprint. Most modern payroll systems store digital copies. You can also request a statement of your pay and tax from HMRC directly by logging into your Personal Tax Account at GOV.UK.