My P45 Is Wrong, Can I Get It Corrected

What a P45 is used for

Your P45 is issued when you leave employment and shows:

Your pay and tax details up to your leaving date

Your tax code

Your National Insurance number

The PAYE reference for your employer

It helps your new employer or Jobcentre know how much tax to deduct going forward. Without it, you may be placed on an emergency tax code until HMRC receives the correct details.

Because it links your employment history, a mistake on your P45 can affect how much tax you pay in your next job.

Common mistakes on a P45

Errors on P45s are fairly common, especially if payroll was processed in a hurry. Typical issues include:

Incorrect total pay or tax to date

Wrong leaving date

Incorrect tax code

Wrong National Insurance number

Misspelt name or incorrect address

Duplicate or missing P45 parts

Even small mistakes can cause problems later, so it’s worth checking your P45 carefully as soon as you receive it.

Who issues and corrects your P45

Your previous employer is responsible for issuing and correcting your P45. It is generated through their payroll system and sent to HMRC electronically when you leave.

If there is an error, you cannot correct it yourself or ask your new employer to do so. Only the employer who issued the P45 can amend the details and reissue a corrected version.

If your old employer has gone out of business or refuses to help, HMRC can step in to update your records, but they will usually need evidence such as payslips or a P60 from your new job.

What to do if your P45 is wrong

If you spot an error, act quickly. Here’s what you should do:

Contact your previous employer or payroll department. Explain exactly what’s wrong and ask them to issue a corrected P45. Provide evidence such as your last payslip or employment contract if needed.

Ask for a revised version. The employer can re-run their final payroll for that period and send updated details to HMRC. They will then issue a replacement P45 with the correct information.

Give your new employer the corrected version. If you’ve already started a new job, give your new employer the updated P45 so they can update your tax records.

If the error only affects minor personal details such as name spelling, your new employer may be able to update HMRC through their payroll software, but it’s still best to have the original P45 corrected.

What if your old employer refuses to correct it

Sometimes, former employers are unhelpful or have closed their business. If you can’t get a corrected P45, don’t panic. You can still make sure your tax is right by contacting HMRC directly.

Provide HMRC with:

Your National Insurance number

Your old employer’s PAYE reference (found on the P45)

Your leaving date and total pay and tax from your final payslip

HMRC will update your tax records and issue a new tax code to your current employer if necessary. They may also refund or reclaim any overpaid tax directly.

You can contact HMRC through your Personal Tax Account or by phone on their Income Tax helpline.

Can your new employer use an incorrect P45

If your P45 has incorrect pay or tax figures, your new employer should not use it, as it could lead to over- or underpayment of tax.

In this case, they can use the HMRC starter checklist (formerly P46) instead. You’ll provide your tax status manually (such as whether this is your only job or you have another one), and HMRC will issue the correct code based on that information.

Once your corrected P45 is issued, your new employer can update payroll records to reflect the correct figures.

How long does it take to get a corrected P45

Employers can usually reissue a corrected P45 within a few days if they still have access to their payroll system. If they need to adjust year-to-date figures or submit corrections to HMRC, it may take a little longer.

Once the corrected version is sent, HMRC updates your records automatically. You do not need to do anything else unless you’ve already been taxed incorrectly in your new job, in which case HMRC will adjust your tax code or issue a refund.

What if you never received your P45

If your old employer never sent your P45, ask them to issue it. They are legally required to do so after you leave. If they still refuse, contact HMRC with your final payslip and details of your employment dates. HMRC can update your tax records manually to ensure your next job uses the correct tax code.

Without a P45, your new employer will need to use the starter checklist to set you up for PAYE until HMRC provides the correct information.

Checking your tax records online

You can check whether your pay and tax details have been reported correctly by logging in to your Personal Tax Account on GOV.UK. This service lets you view:

Total income and tax for the current and previous years

Your tax code and employer information

Any outstanding underpayments or refunds due

If something looks wrong, you can update your employment details directly online or call HMRC for clarification.

How errors on a P45 can affect your tax

An incorrect P45 can lead to:

Being placed on an emergency or BR tax code, meaning higher tax deductions

Paying too much or too little income tax

Delays in receiving tax refunds

Incorrect earnings figures on your tax record

Although HMRC can correct these issues later, it’s easier to deal with them quickly through your previous employer to prevent knock-on problems.

Preventing P45 problems in the future

To avoid issues with your P45 when changing jobs:

Make sure your employer has your correct details before you leave

Keep a copy of your final payslip

Check that your P45 matches your payslip figures

Store your P45 safely for at least two years

If you’re leaving more than one job in a short period, remember that each employer must issue a separate P45, and you should only give your most recent one to your new employer.

Final thoughts

A wrong P45 can be inconvenient, but it’s usually easy to fix. The key is to contact your previous employer as soon as you notice the mistake and request a corrected version. If that’s not possible, HMRC can help update your records and make sure your new employer uses the right tax code.

Checking your P45 for errors early ensures you pay the correct amount of tax and keeps your employment records accurate for the future.