How to Correct a P60 After It’s Been Issued
Noticed an error on your P60? It’s more common than most people realise — and it matters, because incorrect P60 figures can affect your tax record, your mortgage application, and your self-assessment return. Here’s exactly what to do.
Why P60 errors happen
P60 figures come directly from your employer’s payroll system. Common causes of errors include:
- Payroll software miscalculating tax or NI due to an incorrect tax code
- A mid-year correction that wasn’t applied correctly to the year-end figures
- Earnings from a previous employment included incorrectly (or not at all)
- Statutory pay (maternity, sick pay) recorded in the wrong period
- A data entry error when setting up a new employee record
Step 1 — check your final payslip of the year
Your P60 should exactly match the year-to-date (YTD) totals on your final payslip — usually your March or April payslip. Compare:
- Gross pay YTD vs P60 total pay
- Tax YTD vs P60 income tax deducted
- NI YTD vs P60 National Insurance contributions
If these figures don’t match, there’s an error somewhere. Use the free P60 Calculator to check what the figures should be based on your salary and tax code.
Step 2 — contact your employer’s payroll department
Your employer is responsible for the accuracy of your P60. Contact their payroll or HR department as soon as possible and:
- State clearly which figures you believe are wrong and what you expected
- Provide your final payslip YTD totals as supporting evidence
- Ask them to investigate and reissue a corrected P60
Employers can submit a corrected Full Payment Submission (FPS) to HMRC and reissue your P60 with the correct figures. Keep copies of all payslips and correspondence.
Step 3 — contact HMRC if needed
If the error affects your tax position — for example, you’ve overpaid or underpaid tax — you may also need to contact HMRC directly:
- Personal Tax Account at gov.uk — view your tax record and check employment figures online
- Phone — 0300 200 3300 (Mon–Fri, 8am–6pm)
If you’ve overpaid tax as a result of a P60 error, HMRC will arrange a refund — usually through an adjusted tax code in the following months, or as a direct repayment.
What if you need a corrected replacement P60?
Once your employer has confirmed the correct figures, OS Payroll can produce a replacement P60 document on genuine payroll stationery with the corrected data. Free sample before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Can my employer refuse to correct a P60 error?
No — employers are legally obliged to provide accurate PAYE records and P60s. If your employer refuses to correct a clear error, you can report the issue to HMRC who will investigate.
How long does it take to get a corrected P60?
Once your employer submits a corrected FPS to HMRC, the correction is usually processed within a few weeks. Your employer can reissue a corrected P60 as soon as the submission is accepted.
Will a P60 error affect my tax rebate?
Yes — if your P60 shows the wrong tax paid, HMRC may calculate an incorrect rebate. Always check your P60 against your payslip YTD figures before using it for a refund claim.
What if the error was in a previous tax year?
You can still correct it — HMRC can accept amended submissions for previous years. Contact both your employer and HMRC with evidence of the correct figures.
Does a P60 error affect my mortgage application?
Potentially — lenders use P60 figures to verify income. If your P60 understates your earnings, it could affect your borrowing capacity. Get it corrected before applying.
This post is for general information only and does not constitute financial or tax advice.