How to Get Old P60s (Even if You’ve Changed Jobs)
> If you have the salary amount you can generate a P60 document using the [Create] button above.
Need a P60 from a previous tax year? Whether it’s for a mortgage application, a tax return, or a visa application, getting hold of older P60s is usually straightforward — even if you’ve changed jobs or if several years have passed.
Can you get old P60s from your employer?
Yes — employers are legally required to keep PAYE records for at least 3 years, and most keep them longer. Contact your employer’s payroll or HR department and request a duplicate P60 for the relevant tax year. If your employer uses a digital payroll system, previous P60s are often available to download from your employee portal.
If you’ve left that employer, you can still contact them. Former employers are still required to provide access to PAYE records, and most will help with a simple request.
What if your employer no longer exists?
If the company has closed down, been acquired, or gone into administration, contact HMRC. They receive PAYE submissions from every employer and hold earnings and tax records going back many years. You can access these via:
- Your Personal Tax Account at gov.uk — shows employment history and tax paid by year, instantly
- The HMRC app — available on iOS and Android
- Phone — call 0300 200 3300 (Mon–Fri) and request a statement of earnings
The statement HMRC provides is accepted by most lenders and landlords as an alternative to a P60.
How many years back can you get a P60?
| Route | How far back? |
|---|---|
| Employer (still trading) | Legally required to keep 3 years; many keep much longer |
| HMRC Personal Tax Account | Typically 5 years of employment history online |
| HMRC by phone | Can request further back by calling 0300 200 3300 |
| OS Payroll replacement document | Over 20 years — genuine stationery for every tax year |
Creating a replacement P60 for previous years
Once you have your earnings figures — from HMRC, your employer, or your own records — OS Payroll can produce a replacement P60 document for any tax year going back over 20 years. We stock genuine payroll stationery for each tax year, so the document format matches what was issued at the time.
Why you might need old P60s
- Mortgage applications — lenders typically ask for the last two or three years of P60s
- Self-assessment tax returns — you need P60 figures to complete prior-year returns
- Tax refund claims — you can claim overpaid tax going back four years
- Visa and immigration applications — the Home Office may require P60s for multiple years
- Benefit claims — some benefits require historical income verification
Check your figures before ordering
Use the free P60 Calculator to verify your income tax and NI figures are correct for the year in question before creating a replacement document.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a P60 from 5 years ago?
Yes — HMRC holds employment records typically going back at least 5 years online via your Personal Tax Account. For older records, call HMRC on 0300 200 3300. OS Payroll can produce replacement P60 documents for any year going back over 20 years.
Can I get a P60 for a job I left years ago?
Yes. Your former employer is still required to hold PAYE records for at least 3 years. If they no longer exist, HMRC will have the records. Contact them via your Personal Tax Account or by phone.
Do I need the original P60 or will a replacement do?
For most purposes, a replacement P60 from OS Payroll is accepted exactly as an original. It’s printed on genuine HMRC-approved stationery and does not say ‘replacement’ or ‘copy’.
What information do I need to get an old P60?
At minimum: the tax year, your gross earnings for that year, and your tax code. All of this is available from HMRC via your Personal Tax Account if you don’t have it from your employer or original payslips.
This post is for general information only and does not constitute financial or tax advice.