Can I Get a Copy of an Old Payslip or P60 If I’ve Lost It

Introduction

Payslips and P60s are key financial documents that show how much you have earned and how much tax you have paid. Employers are required by law to provide them, but they are not obliged to keep copies indefinitely once issued.

If you lose one, you can usually request a replacement or statement of earnings, although the process depends on how long ago you received it and whether you still work for the employer.

Understanding payslips and P60s

Payslips

A payslip is a record of an employee’s earnings and deductions for a specific pay period. Employers must provide one each time they pay you, whether weekly, fortnightly, or monthly. Payslips can be printed or electronic and show:

Gross pay and net pay.

Income tax and National Insurance deductions.

Pension contributions and other deductions.

Pay date and period covered.

P60

A P60 is a summary of your total earnings and tax paid for a full tax year (6 April to 5 April). Employers must issue P60s to all employees who were still working for them at the end of the tax year, usually by 31 May.

If you left your job before the end of the tax year, you would have received a P45 instead, summarising your earnings up to the date you left.

Getting a copy of an old payslip

If you still work for the employer

If you are still employed, contact your payroll or HR department. Most employers can reissue payslips, either as printed copies or electronically. Many companies now use online portals that let employees download past payslips at any time.

When requesting a replacement, provide:

The pay period or approximate date you need.

Your employee or payroll number, if known.

Proof of identity, especially if the request is for older records.

Employers typically keep payroll records for at least three years under HMRC rules, but many retain them for longer.

If you no longer work for the employer

If you have left the company, you can still ask for copies of old payslips. Contact the employer’s payroll or HR department directly, explaining which period you need.

Although employers are not legally required to provide duplicate payslips after you leave, most will help if they still have the records. If the business has closed or changed ownership, your options may be more limited, but you can sometimes trace payroll providers or accountants who handled the company’s records.

If the employer cannot provide copies

If your old employer no longer has your payslips, you can request a statement of earnings from HMRC instead. This document shows how much you earned and paid in tax for a specific tax year, based on information submitted by your employer through the PAYE system.

You can request it by contacting HMRC directly and providing your National Insurance number, full name, and the years you need.

Getting a copy of a P60

If you are still employed

Your employer should be able to issue a duplicate P60 or a written statement confirming your total pay and tax for the year. Employers are required to keep P60 records for at least three complete tax years.

If your employer uses an online payroll portal, you may be able to download previous P60s yourself.

If you have left your job

If you no longer work for the employer, contact them to ask for a replacement. They are not legally required to issue another P60, but they can provide a letter or statement of earnings that serves the same purpose.

If you cannot reach your former employer, HMRC can supply a statement of earnings for the relevant tax year, which includes the same financial information.

Requesting information from HMRC

To request your pay and tax history from HMRC, you can:

Log in to your Personal Tax Account on GOV.UK to view pay and tax records going back several years.

Call HMRC on 0300 200 3300 if you cannot access your records online.

Write to HMRC requesting a statement of earnings, specifying the tax years you need and including your National Insurance number.

HMRC may take several weeks to process your request, so plan ahead if you need the information for a deadline such as a mortgage application or visa submission.

How long records are kept

Employers are legally required to keep payroll information for at least three years after the end of the tax year it relates to. However, HMRC can request records going back up to six years in some cases.

It is good practice for employees to keep their own payslips and P60s for at least six years, especially for tax or financial purposes.

Alternative documents you can use

If you cannot get an old payslip or P60, you can use alternative evidence of income such as:

Bank statements showing salary payments.

P45 forms from when you left an employer.

HMRC’s statement of earnings.

Pension or benefits statements, if relevant.

These documents are often accepted by lenders, landlords, or immigration authorities as proof of income.

Tips to prevent future problems

Go digital: If your employer offers online payslips or P60s, download and store them securely on your computer or cloud storage.

Keep personal backups: Save copies of all financial documents each year.

Check details regularly: Review payslips and P60s to ensure they match your bank records.

Update contact details: Make sure your employer and HMRC always have your current address to avoid missing important documents.

Common mistakes to avoid

Waiting too long before requesting copies, as employers may delete old payroll data.

Assuming HMRC can issue P60 duplicates they cannot, but they can provide a statement of earnings.

Forgetting to provide your National Insurance number when making a request.

Ignoring online payroll portals that may already store your past documents.

Conclusion

If you have lost a payslip or P60, you can usually obtain a copy from your employer or payroll provider. If they no longer have the records, HMRC can provide a statement of earnings showing your pay and tax for each year.

Keeping digital or printed copies of all payslips and P60s helps you avoid future inconvenience and ensures you always have proof of income when needed for tax, loans, or employment verification.