A P45 and a P60 are both official records of your pay and tax, but they are issued at different times and used for different purposes. This guide explains the difference for 2026/27 and what to do if you are missing either one.
What a P45 Is
A P45 is issued by an employer when you leave a job, showing your tax code, total pay and tax deducted for that employment in the current tax year up to your leaving date. It has multiple parts, some of which go to HMRC and some of which you give to a new employer.
Giving your P45 to a new employer helps them apply the correct tax code from your first payday, rather than defaulting to an emergency code, which can otherwise cause you to overpay tax temporarily until HMRC issues a corrected code.
What a P60 Is
A P60 is issued once a year, after the tax year ends, by whichever employer you are working for on the last day of that tax year, summarising your total pay, tax, and (where applicable) National Insurance and student loan deductions for the whole year across that employment.
You need your P60 as proof of income and tax paid for things like mortgage applications, tax credit or benefit claims, checking whether you have overpaid or underpaid tax for the year, and completing a Self Assessment return if you need to file one.
If You Are Missing One
If you have lost a P45 from a previous job, employers cannot generally reissue a duplicate, but a new employer can still process your pay correctly using a starter checklist instead, and HMRC can confirm your pay and tax history from its own records if needed.
If your current employer has not given you a P60 after the tax year end, ask them directly, since they are legally required to provide one to every employee still working for them at the end of the tax year — you can also request a statement of your pay and tax from HMRC if you cannot get a replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between a P45 and a P60?
A P45 is issued when you leave a job and covers that specific employment up to your leaving date, while a P60 is issued once a year, after the tax year ends, by your current employer, summarising the whole tax year for that employment.
Do I get a P45 every year like a P60?
No — you only get a P45 when you actually leave a job, whereas a P60 is issued annually to everyone still employed by the same employer at the end of the tax year, regardless of whether they change jobs during the year.
Why does my new employer need my P45?
It confirms your tax code and pay and tax already received in the current tax year from your previous job, helping your new employer apply the correct cumulative tax code from the start rather than an emergency code that could cause temporary overpayment.
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What if I cannot find my old P45?
You can complete a starter checklist with your new employer instead, which gathers similar information in a different format, and HMRC can also confirm your pay and tax history from its own records if there is a discrepancy that needs resolving.
Can I get a duplicate P60 if I lose mine?
You can ask your employer for a replacement statement showing the same information, since they retain payroll records, even though a formal duplicate P60 in the exact original format is not always reissued in the same way.
Do I need my P60 to file a Self Assessment tax return?
It is very useful, since it confirms your total pay, tax and other deductions for the year from that employment, making it much easier to complete the employment section of your return accurately.
How many parts does a P45 have and which one is mine?
A P45 traditionally has multiple parts, with one part going to HMRC and the remaining parts given to you — you keep one for your records and hand another to your new employer or to Jobcentre Plus if you are claiming benefits.
What information does a P60 actually show?
A P60 shows your total taxable pay and tax deducted for the tax year, your final tax code, and where applicable your National Insurance contributions and any student loan repayments taken through that employment.
By when should my employer give me a P60?
Employers must provide a P60 to every employee still on their payroll on the last day of the tax year, and this is normally issued (on paper or electronically) by 31 May following the end of that tax year.
Will I get a P45 if I am made redundant rather than resigning?
Yes — a P45 is issued whenever your employment ends for any reason, including redundancy, dismissal or retirement, not just when you resign, since it simply records your pay and tax up to your last day in that job.
Disclaimer: This guide reflects UK rules as they generally apply in 2026/27. This guide is for general information only and is not professional advice. Consult a qualified adviser and refer to gov.uk for current official guidance before relying on any treatment.
