How Long Should You Keep Payslips and P60s?
How long should you keep your payslips and P60s? The answer depends on who might need them and why — but the safest rule of thumb is longer than most people think.
The recommended timeframe
| Document | Minimum to keep | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| P60s | 4 years | 6 years |
| Payslips | Current tax year | 6 years |
| P45s | Until new P60 issued | 6 years |
| Tax returns and HMRC correspondence | 5 years after 31 Jan deadline | 6 years |
Why 6 years?
HMRC can investigate your tax affairs going back 4 years in normal circumstances, and up to 6 years if they believe there has been a careless error. If HMRC suspects deliberate non-compliance, they can go back up to 20 years — but in practice 6 years of records covers the vast majority of scenarios.
Mortgage lenders typically ask for the last 2–3 years of P60s. Visa and immigration applications may require several years of income proof. Keeping 6 years means you’re covered for almost any situation.
When you might need old records
- Mortgage or remortgage applications — lenders request 2–3 years of P60s as proof of annual income
- Tax refund claims — you can claim overpaid income tax going back 4 years
- Self-assessment returns — you’ll need P60 figures to complete prior year returns
- Benefit claims — some benefits require historical income verification
- Pension queries — old payslips can help verify pension contribution history
- Visa applications — the Home Office may require multiple years of P60s
- Employment disputes — payslips are evidence if your pay or deductions are ever challenged
Best practice for storing payslips and P60s
- Download digital copies immediately — many employers issue P60s and payslips via payroll portals. Download and save them the day they arrive
- Back up to cloud storage — Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox. Store in a folder organised by tax year
- Scan paper documents — if you receive paper payslips or P60s, scan or photograph them straight away
- Use a consistent naming convention — e.g. “2025-26_P60_EmployerName.pdf”
What if you’ve already lost old payslips or P60s?
Contact your employer first — they must keep PAYE records for at least 3 years. For older records, or if your employer no longer exists, HMRC hold employment data going back many years via your Personal Tax Account at gov.uk. OS Payroll can also produce replacement P60 documents for any year going back over 20 years.
Frequently asked questions
How long does HMRC recommend keeping P60s?
HMRC recommends keeping P60s for at least 4 years. However, 6 years is safer as it covers the maximum period for most HMRC investigations related to careless errors.
Do I need to keep paper payslips or is digital OK?
Digital copies are legally acceptable. HMRC and most lenders accept scanned documents and PDFs. The important thing is that you can produce them if asked — not the format they’re stored in.
What if my employer no longer issues paper payslips?
Most employers now issue payslips digitally via payroll portals. Log in and download copies promptly — some systems only hold a limited number of months online.
Can I throw away payslips once I have my P60?
Your P60 summarises your full year, but payslips provide the month-by-month detail. Keep both — payslips can be essential if you need to query a specific month’s figures or prove your income during the year.
What about payslips from a job I’ve left?
Keep them for the same 6-year period. You may need them to query pension contributions, or if there’s ever a dispute about pay from that period.
This post is for general information only and does not constitute financial or tax advice. For queries about your specific situation, contact HMRC or a qualified tax adviser.