P60s + P45s

P45

Given to you when you leave an employed job — the contract ends, the show closes, you move on. It shows what you were paid and the tax deducted from the start of the tax year up to your leaving date.

Your next employer may ask for it so they can put you on the right tax code — no P45 can mean emergency tax (recoverable, but faff).

P60

Given to you by any employer you're still working for at the end of the tax year (5th April). It summarises everything they paid you and the tax deducted across that whole tax year.

Employers must issue it by 31st May — chase it if it doesn't appear.

Your tax return needs them. The employed income section of your self-assessment asks exactly what each employer paid you and the tax they deducted — your P45s and P60s hold those numbers. Match them against HMRC's pre-filled figures and you're done in minutes.

Proof if HMRC ever asks. They're your evidence of income and tax paid. Keep them for at least 5 years after the submission deadline of the relevant tax year — same as all your records.

Real life asks for them too. Mortgage and rental applications, loans, visa applications — proof-of-income requests love a P60. Having them filed makes you look every inch the organised professional you are.

Spotting overpaid tax. Performers stopping and starting employed contracts often overpay tax through the year. Your P45s and P60s are how you (or your tax return) prove it and get that lovely rebate back.