P60 vs P11D – What’s the Difference?
P60 and P11D — both come from your employer, both relate to your annual income, but they cover completely different things. Here’s the difference, and when you’ll need each.
What is a P60?
A P60 is your end-of-year tax certificate. It shows your total earnings and all deductions for the full tax year — income tax, National Insurance, student loan repayments, and statutory pay. Issued by your employer by 31 May. You keep it.
What is a P11D?
A P11D is a form your employer submits to HMRC to declare any benefits in kind you received during the tax year. Benefits in kind are non-cash perks that have a taxable value, such as:
- Company car or van
- Private medical insurance paid by your employer
- Interest-free or low-interest loans
- Accommodation provided by your employer
- Gym membership or other personal benefits
You also receive a copy of the P11D for your own records. The taxable value of your benefits is used by HMRC to adjust your tax code for the following year.
P60 vs P11D — the key differences
| P60 | P11D | |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Cash pay and tax deductions | Non-cash benefits in kind |
| Who receives it | All employees on payroll at 5 April | Only employees with taxable benefits |
| Deadline | 31 May | 6 July |
| What you do with it | Keep for income proof and tax records | Keep — useful for self-assessment and checking your tax code |
| Accepted as income proof? | Yes — widely accepted by lenders | Not used as income proof |
Do P11D benefits affect your P60?
No — your P60 covers only cash pay processed through payroll. Benefits in kind declared on the P11D are not included in your P60 figures. However, they can affect your tax code the following year, which in turn affects the tax deductions shown on future payslips and P60s.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need both a P60 and a P11D for my tax return?
If you have benefits in kind and file a self-assessment return, yes — your P11D gives you the values to declare. Your P60 gives you the employment income and PAYE tax figures.
What if I didn’t receive a P11D?
Not everyone gets a P11D. You only receive one if your employer provided you with taxable benefits in kind during the tax year. If you had a company car or private health insurance and didn’t receive a P11D, contact your payroll department.
Does a company car affect my P60?
Not directly — but it does affect your tax code. A company car benefit reduces your personal allowance, which increases your PAYE tax. This reduced allowance will be reflected in the tax code shown on your P60.
This post is for general information only and does not constitute financial or tax advice.