Why You Might Need a P60 (And When to Show It)

You might only think about your P60 once a year — but it’s one of the most important financial documents you’ll ever receive. Whether you’re applying for a mortgage, checking your tax, or claiming benefits, your P60 proves what you earned and what tax you’ve paid. Here’s when and why you’ll need it.

🧾 What Your P60 Proves

Your P60 summarises your total income and tax deductions for the full tax year (6 April to 5 April).
It’s official proof of:

• Your gross pay (before deductions)
• Tax and National Insurance paid
• Employer and PAYE details

It’s issued automatically by your employer by 31 May each year.

🏦 When You’ll Need Your P60

You may be asked to show your P60 when:

• Applying for a mortgage or loan – lenders use it to verify your income.
• Renting a property – landlords or letting agents may request proof of earnings.
• Claiming benefits – including Universal Credit or tax credits.
• Checking your tax code – to ensure you’ve paid the correct amount.
• Requesting a tax refund – HMRC may need your P60 to process it.
• Applying for a new job – some employers request it as part of onboarding.

📦 How Long Should You Keep It?

Keep each P60 for at least 6 years.
If you ever need to prove past income — for tax, pensions, or legal purposes — it can save you hours of paperwork later.

💡 Pro tip: save a digital copy in secure cloud storage as soon as you receive it.

❌ What If You’ve Lost It?

Don’t panic — you can:

• Ask your employer for a duplicate.
• Check if it’s available in your online payroll portal.
• Use your HMRC Personal Tax Account to access employment history.

🔗 Internal Links

• ➡️ Not sure what a P60 actually is? Read our P60 Meaning Explained.
• ➡️ Lost yours? Here’s how to get a replacement P60.
• ➡️ Need to check your form? See our Line-by-Line P60 Guide.

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