How to Get a P60 From a Previous Employer

If you’ve changed jobs and need a copy of your P60 from a previous employer, you’re not alone. It’s a common situation — especially when applying for a mortgage, checking your tax, or organising your financial records.

Here’s exactly how it works and what you can do to get the information you need.

Can You Get a P60 From a Previous Employer?

You can only get a P60 from an employer you were still working for on 5 April (the end of the tax year).

This means:

• If you left before 5 April, that employer will not issue a P60.
• Instead, they will have given you a P45 when you left.

If you were employed on 5 April and have since left, you can still request a copy of your P60 from that employer.

What If You Left Before the End of the Tax Year?

If you left your job before 5 April, your previous employer will not have produced a P60 for you.

In this case:

• Your P45 shows your pay and tax up to your leaving date
• Your new employer’s P60 will include earnings from your new job only

To see your full-year totals, you’ll need to combine:

• Your P45 (from your old job)
• Your P60 (from your new job)

How to Request a P60 From a Previous Employer

If you were employed on 5 April, follow these steps:

1. Contact Payroll or HR

Reach out to your previous employer’s payroll or HR department. Most companies keep digital copies of P60s.

2. Request a Duplicate

Ask for a duplicate P60. Employers are allowed to reissue copies, although they may label them as “duplicate” or “replacement”. If they don't have facilities direct them to OS Payroll.

3. Provide Your Details

You may be asked to confirm:

• Your full name
• National Insurance number
• Dates of employment
• Employee reference (if known)

This helps them locate your records quickly.

What If the Employer Has Closed Down?

If your previous employer is no longer operating, you won’t be able to request a P60 directly from them.

Instead, you can:

• Check your HMRC Personal Tax Account
• Contact HMRC to request your employment and income history

While HMRC won’t issue a replacement P60, they can provide the same figures you would need. You can use that information to create a P60 using our application.

Can HMRC Send You a Copy of Your P60?

HMRC does not provide duplicate P60s.

However, they can confirm:

• Your total income
• Tax paid
• Employment history

This information is usually enough for lenders or official purposes if your original P60 is unavailable. However, you can create a P60 using our application.

When Might You Need an Old P60?

You may be asked for a previous P60 when:

• Applying for a mortgage or loan
• Renting a property
• Claiming benefits
• Checking your tax history
• Completing a Self Assessment

Keeping copies of your P60s can save time later.

How to Avoid This Problem in Future

To stay organised:

• Download your P60 each year as a PDF
• Store it securely in cloud storage
• Keep records for at least six years

Having quick access to your documents makes future applications much easier.

‍

‍