A P45 is what you get when you leave a job. A P60 is a year-end summary you get while still employed. A P11D reports the taxable benefits in kind your employer gave you on top of your salary. The P45 marks an ending, the P60 marks a full tax year, and the P11D covers the extras like a company car or private medical cover. All three come from the PAYE system, and each does a different job at a different moment.
If you've ever stared at one of these forms wondering whether to keep it, file it, or chase your employer for it, this guide clears it up.
Quick Comparison: P45 vs P60 vs P11D at a Glance
| Feature | P45 | P60 | P11D |
|---|---|---|---|
| When you get it | When you leave a job | By 31 May each year (for the tax year just ended) | By 6 July each year |
| Who issues it | Your old employer | Your current employer | Your employer |
| What it shows | Pay and tax up to your leaving date | Total pay and tax for the full tax year | Taxable benefits in kind and expenses |
| Why it matters | Sets your tax code at your next job | Proof of income; needed for tax returns and claims | Means extra tax may be due on perks |
| Do you always get one? | Only if you leave | Yes, if employed on 5 April | Only if you received benefits in kind |
What Is a P45?
A P45 is the form your employer gives you when your employment ends. It records how much you've earned and how much tax you've paid in the current tax year up to your leaving date, plus your tax code.
You give the new parts to your next employer (or to Jobcentre Plus if you're claiming taxable benefits) so they can set the right tax code and you avoid emergency tax. Keep Part 1A for your own records.
You'll also want your P45 figures if you complete a Self Assessment return, claim a tax refund, or apply for benefits. If you've left a job partway through the year and started another, the P45 stops HMRC double-counting your personal allowance of £12,570.
What Is a P60?
A P60 is your end-of-year certificate. If you're employed on 5 April, your employer must give you a P60 by 31 May, summarising your total pay and the tax deducted across the whole tax year (6 April to 5 April).
Think of it as your annual receipt from the taxman. You'll need it to:
- Claim back overpaid tax
- Apply for tax credits or universal credit
- Prove your income for a mortgage, loan, or rental
- Complete a Self Assessment tax return
Because the P60 shows your full annual earnings, it's the document that tells you whether you've crossed a threshold, for example the £50,270 higher-rate band, or the point at which your personal allowance starts tapering above £100,000 and disappears entirely at £125,140.
If you have more than one job, you'll get a P60 from each employer you're still working for at year end.
What Is a P11D?
A P11D reports benefits in kind, the non-cash perks your employer provides on top of your salary. Your employer files it with HMRC and gives you a copy by 6 July following the tax year.
Common items on a P11D include:
- Company cars and fuel
- Private medical and dental insurance
- Interest-free or low-interest loans
- Living accommodation
- Gym memberships and other expenses
These benefits are taxable, so HMRC usually collects the tax by adjusting your tax code, which reduces your take-home pay the following year. Take the company car: an electric vehicle is taxed at just 4% of its list price as a benefit in kind for 2026/27, far below the rate for a petrol or diesel equivalent, which is exactly why salary-sacrifice EV schemes have stayed popular.
If your employer "payrolls" your benefits (taxing them in real time through your monthly pay), you may not receive a P11D at all, because the tax has already been collected.
How the Three Forms Fit Together
Picture a full year of employment:
- You start a new job and hand over your P45 from the last one.
- You work through the year. If you get perks, those are tracked for your P11D.
- On 5 April the year ends, and you receive your P60 plus, if relevant, your P11D.
- If you leave during the year instead, you skip straight to a fresh P45.
For most employees taxed only through PAYE, these forms are simply records to file away. There's no longer a fixed income threshold that forces a PAYE-only taxpayer to file, you only need a Self Assessment return if another trigger applies (you're a company director, have a side income, or receive significant benefits in kind, for example) or HMRC sends you a notice to file. Our Self Assessment services can take that off your plate.
For the official wording on each form, see HMRC's guide: Your P45, P60 and P11D form.
What If You've Lost One?
None of these can usually be reissued as the official original, but the information is recoverable.
- Lost P45: Your old employer cannot give you a duplicate, but they can provide a "statement of earnings" on company letterhead. Alternatively, your new employer can use a starter checklist to set your tax code.
- Lost P60: Ask your employer for a replacement copy, they're required to keep records and can mark it "duplicate".
- Lost P11D: Your employer can give you a copy, or you can check your figures in your HMRC online personal tax account.
You can also see most of your pay and tax history through your Personal Tax Account on GOV.UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a P45 to start a new job?
It helps, but it isn't compulsory. If you don't have one, your new employer will ask you to complete a starter checklist instead. Without either, you'll likely be put on an emergency tax code until HMRC corrects it, so providing your P45 avoids overpaying tax upfront.
Is a P60 the same as a P45?
No. A P60 summarises a full tax year while you're still employed and is issued every year by 31 May. A P45 is a leaving document issued only when your employment ends, covering pay and tax up to that date.
Does everyone get a P11D?
No. You only get a P11D if you received taxable benefits in kind, such as a company car or private medical insurance, that weren't taxed through payroll. If you have no benefits, or your employer payrolls them, you won't receive one.
Do I need these forms for Self Assessment?
Often, yes. Your P60 or P45 confirms your employment income and the tax already paid, and your P11D confirms taxable benefits. Having them to hand makes completing your return faster and reduces the risk of errors. See our FAQ for more on what records to keep.
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Need a Hand?
Payroll forms are simple until they're not, a mid-year job change, a company car, or a side income can quickly turn three pieces of paper into a tax question. If you'd like someone to check your figures, sort your tax code, or handle your return end to end, get in touch with our team and we'll make it straightforward.
