What Is a P60? UK Guide to Your End-of-Year Tax Certificate
Your P60 shows your total pay and deductions for the tax year. Learn what a P60 is, how to get yours, what to check, and how to use it for mortgages, tax refunds, and benefits claims.
Quick answer: A P60 is an annual tax certificate your employer gives you after 5 April, showing your total earnings and deductions for the tax year. You need it for mortgage applications, tax refund claims, and benefit claims. Your employer must give it to you by 31 May. If you’ve lost yours, ask your employer’s payroll department for a replacement.
What Is a P60? UK Guide
Your P60 is one of the most important financial documents you’ll receive each year. This guide explains what it contains, why you need it, and what to check.
What Is a P60?
A P60 (officially “End of Year Certificate”) is a document issued by your employer after the end of each tax year (5 April). It summarises:
- Your total gross pay for the tax year
- Income tax deducted
- National Insurance contributions
- Statutory pay received (sick pay, maternity, paternity)
- Pension contributions
- Your tax code and employer details
Source: GOV.UK — P60.
When Do You Get Your P60?
Your employer must issue your P60 by 31 May each year. You’ll typically receive it:
- As a physical document with your April or May payslip
- As a PDF via your employer’s online payroll portal
- By email from your payroll department
If you haven’t received it by early June, ask your employer.
What to Check on Your P60
- Personal details — name, address, NI number correct
- Total gross pay — matches your cumulative payslip YTD figure
- Tax code — should be 1257L for most employees (2025/26)
- Income tax total — compare with our income tax calculator
- NI contributions — verify against NI rates
- Pension contributions — check employer also contributed their share
Read our how to read a payslip guide for understanding individual deductions.
Why You Need Your P60
| Use Case | What the P60 Proves |
|---|---|
| Mortgage application | Income for affordability assessment |
| Tax refund claim | Total tax paid (if you overpaid) |
| Universal Credit / benefits | Income evidence |
| Self-assessment | Employment income to declare |
| Pension forecast | NI contributions for State Pension |
| Rent application | Proof of income for landlords |
| Loan/credit application | Income verification |
Keep your P60s for at least 22 months after the end of the tax year (the HMRC enquiry window), though keeping them indefinitely is safer.
P60 vs P45: What’s the Difference?
| Document | When Issued | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| P60 | End of tax year (by 31 May) | Annual summary of pay and tax |
| P45 | When you leave a job | Summary to give your next employer |
You only get a P45 when you leave employment. You get a P60 if you’re still employed at the end of the tax year. Read our income tax bands guide for how tax codes transfer between jobs.
What If You’ve Lost Your P60?
- Ask your employer’s payroll department — they must keep records for 3+ years
- Check online payroll portals — many employers provide digital copies
- Use GOV.UK — you can view your personal tax account for pay and tax information from HMRC records
HMRC’s records show the same information as your P60, so you can use them as evidence for most purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources and Further Reading
- GOV.UK — P60
- GOV.UK — Personal tax account
- See also: How to read a payslip, Income tax calculator, Income tax bands explained, National Insurance explained
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information about P60s. Individual circumstances may vary. For specific tax queries, contact HMRC via GOV.UK.