P60 Missing? Every Way to Get Your Document Back
A missing P60 has a habit of not turning up at the worst possible time — usually right when a mortgage broker, letting agent, or HMRC deadline is asking for it. If you're wondering "how do I get my P60 back," the honest answer is that there's no single fixed set of steps: the right way to get your P60 sorted depends on your situation, whether you're still with the employer who issued it, whether they've closed down, and how far back the tax year in question goes. This guide is organised by scenario so you can jump straight to the one that matches yours.
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First, a Quick Reality Check
A P60 is the annual summary your employer must give you by 31 May, showing your total pay, tax deducted, and National Insurance contributions for the tax year. It's not something HMRC creates — it's produced by whoever ran your payroll. That single fact shapes almost every route to get your P60 restored below, so it's worth keeping in mind before you decide which one to try.
Scenario 1: You Still Work for the Same Employer
Steps to Request a P60 From Your Current Employer
- Check whether your payslips are on a self-service portal — Sage, Xero, ADP, and similar systems usually store past P60s digitally.
- If not, email HR or payroll directly, naming the specific tax year (for example, "2024 to 2025").
- Ask for a reissued P60 or a payroll printout showing the same figures — either is normally fine.
How Long It Takes
Usually a few days, sometimes instantly if it's sitting in a portal already.
Scenario 2: You've Left the Job, But the Employer Still Exists
Steps to Contact a Former Employer for a P60
- Try the HR or payroll email address you used while employed there.
- If the company has since changed hands or rebranded, a quick search for their current payroll provider can help.
- Be ready to confirm your full name, employee number (if you remember it), and the tax year.
Note: Dealing with a misplaced P60 often raises questions this article doesn't fully explore. We've published a companion piece that digs into every Lost P60 situation in detail — the complete Lost P60 Guide is well worth a read.
Scenario 3: The Employer Has Closed Down or Can't Be Reached
This is where most people get stuck — and where HMRC's own records become the answer to how to get your P60 information back, because HMRC receives your pay and tax data directly through payroll reporting, regardless of whether the employer is still trading.
Option A: Personal Tax Account
Sign in to your free Personal Tax Account on GOV.UK with a Government Gateway ID to view your pay and tax history for the current year and several years back.
Option B: HMRC App
The official HMRC app mirrors the same information and is often the fastest way to check figures from your phone.
Option C: Phone or Post
For older years, or if online access isn't possible, HMRC can send a statement of earnings by post after a phone request. Full detail on this process sits on the official GOV.UK lost PAYE forms page.
Tip: Have your National Insurance number, the tax year, and the employer's name ready before you call — it speeds things up considerably.
How the Two Main Routes to Get a P60 Compare
Fig. 2 — General comparison for planning purposes; always confirm specifics with your employer or HMRC.
| Situation | Best Route to Take |
|---|---|
| Still employed there | Ask payroll/HR directly |
| Left, but company still trading | Ask former HR/payroll |
| Company closed or unreachable | HMRC Personal Tax Account or phone line |
| Need it for a mortgage this week | Personal Tax Account (instant) as a backup while employer request is pending |
One Route to Avoid
Some websites offer to "generate" a P60 for a fee, often with real-looking payroll stationery. Steer clear. A genuine P60 reflects exactly what was reported to HMRC — a document with invented or estimated figures can look like fraud to a lender or to HMRC itself, and that's a far bigger headache than a delayed mortgage application. If you're trying to get your P60 back quickly, stick to your employer or HMRC's own channels above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can HMRC issue me my P60?
No. Only your employer can issue a P60, because they're the one who produces it in the first place. HMRC can, however, give you the same pay and tax figures from its own records.
My employer has gone out of business — how do I get my P60 figures now?
Your Personal Tax Account or a call to HMRC still works, because HMRC receives your pay and tax data directly from payroll reporting, independent of whether the employer still exists.
How quickly can I get the figures?
Through a Personal Tax Account or the HMRC app, the figures are usually available immediately. By phone or post, allow around ten working days.
Is a statement of earnings as good as a P60?
For most purposes, yes. Lenders, letting agents, and other organisations typically accept a statement of earnings from HMRC as it contains the same underlying figures.
The Short Version
Whichever situation you're in, the underlying logic is the same: try the employer first if they're contactable, and fall back on HMRC's own records the moment that stops being an option. Whether you're chasing a form for a mortgage, a tax return, or a visa application, that's really all it takes to get everything you need without a single wasted step.
General information only, not tax or financial advice. For your specific circumstances, contact HMRC or a qualified accountant.