Digital vs Paper P60s: Are Online Versions Valid for Banks and Mortgages?

The days of waiting for a paper P60 to arrive in the post are fading fast. Many UK employers now issue digital P60s — quick, convenient, and easy to store. But are they actually valid for tax, mortgage, or loan purposes? Here’s everything you need to know.

💻 What Is a Digital P60?

A digital P60 is an electronic version of your year-end tax summary.
It contains exactly the same information as a paper P60, including:

• Your total pay for the tax year
• Income Tax and National Insurance paid
• Your tax code
• Employer and employee details

You’ll usually find it in your employer’s online payroll portal, where it can be viewed or downloaded as a PDF.

📜 Are Digital P60s Officially Accepted?

Yes — digital P60s are fully valid.
HMRC allows employers to issue P60s electronically, and banks, lenders, and government departments must treat them the same as printed copies.

✅ You can safely use a digital P60 for:

• Mortgage or loan applications
• Benefit or tax credit claims
• Income verification for new employers

Just make sure it’s a genuine, unaltered copy from your payroll system.

🏦 Why Banks and Lenders Accept Them

Most banks now prefer PDF copies because they can be verified quickly.
If asked to provide proof, simply:

1. Download your P60 directly from your employer’s system.
2. Save it securely — ideally under a clear file name like “P60_2024-25.pdf”.
3. Email or upload it when requested.

Avoid screenshots — lenders usually want the full, official document.

📂 Tips for Storing Your Digital P60s

• Save copies in secure cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, etc.).
• Keep files for at least 6 years, as HMRC or lenders may request old versions.
• Avoid editing or renaming internal details — authenticity matters.

🖨 Still Prefer Paper Copies?

That’s fine too. Employers are allowed to provide either format — digital or paper — as long as you receive your P60 by 31 May each year.

Some people still prefer paper for personal filing, but digital versions are easier to back up and share.

🔗 Internal Links

• ➡️ Need to understand what your P60 actually shows? Read our P60 Meaning Explained.
• ➡️ Lost your file? Here’s how to request a replacement P60.
• ➡️ Find out when P60s are issued each year.

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