What is a P45? And how do I get one?​

When you leave a job your employer gives you a P45 covering what you’ve been paid and how much tax you’ve paid for the year so far. It’s your previous employers responsibility to ensure you’re given this form. Here’s a quick guide to help you with everything you need to know about your P45.

What is a P45?

When you leave a job, your employer gives you a P45 form. It’s an official HMRC P45 form that shows how much tax you’ve paid on your earnings so far in the current tax year. Your P45 includes key details like your pay to date, the total tax you’ve paid, your National Insurance number and your tax code. The form comes in four parts:

• Part 1 goes straight to HMRC
• Part 1A is for you to keep for your records
• Parts 2 and 3 go to your next employer or Jobcentre Plus if you’re claiming benefits

It’s an important bit of paperwork for starting a new job or completing your tax return, because it helps make sure you’re taxed correctly from day one.

Be sure to keep your P45 somewhere safe. You might need it later for a refund claim, benefit application or Self Assessment.

How do I get a p45?

You should get your P45 form from your employer when you leave a job. It’s a legal requirement. Whether you quit, are made redundant or finish a temporary contract, every employer in the UK must issue one.

Your P45 usually arrives shortly after your final payslip. Some employers give it to you in paper form, while others send it digitally through your payroll portal or email. Either way, it should be ready within a few days of your last working day.

If you’re wondering how to get a P45 and it hasn’t arrived, start by contacting your old employer or HR department. They can resend it or give you access to a digital copy.

Need a replacement P45? HMRC can’t issue one, so you’ll need to go back to your previous employer for a duplicate.

If this is your first job, you won’t have a P45 yet. Instead, your new employer will ask you to fill in a Starter Checklist.

How long does it take to get a p45?

Your P45 form should arrive within a few days of your final payslip. Most employers issue it automatically once your last payment has been processed, so you shouldn’t have to wait long.

But how long after leaving a job should you get a P45? The general rule is that it should be with you within the same week you leave or at the very latest, within your final pay period.

If it’s been more than a week and you still haven’t received it, contact your old employer or HR department. Sometimes delays happen if payroll dates change or if your final pay needs to be adjusted.

Remember, your P45 is your proof of tax paid, so don’t ignore it. You’ll need it for your next job or to claim a refund.

What is a P45 used for?

Your P45 form shows your pay and tax. And it’s what keeps your tax record clean when you change jobs, claim benefits or apply for a refund. Here’s how it’s used:

• Starting a new job. Your new employer uses it to put you on the right tax code so you don’t end up paying too much or too little tax.
• Claiming benefits. Jobcentre Plus may need your P45 to calculate what you’re entitled to.
• Filing a Self Assessment. It helps make sure your income and tax paid are recorded correctly.
• Applying for a tax refund. It shows how much you’ve already paid through PAYE, helping RIFT check if you’re owed money back.

Without a P45, you could be put on an emergency tax code, which often means paying more tax than you should.

What to do if your employer won't give you your P45?

If your employer refuses to send your P45, don’t panic. You still have options. By law, they must give you a P45 when you leave, no matter the reason. It’s part of their responsibility to update HMRC about your pay and tax.

Start by contacting your old employer or HR department directly. Sometimes, delays are just down to admin errors or payroll cut-off dates. If they still won’t issue it, contact HMRC and explain the situation. They can check your records and make sure your tax details are up to date.

In the meantime, you can still start your new job. Your new employer will ask you to complete a Starter Checklist, which gives them the info they need to put you on the right tax code until your P45 arrives.

Starting a new job without a P45

If you don’t have a P45 form when starting a new job, don’t worry, you can still get paid and taxed correctly. Your new employer will ask you to fill in a Starter Checklist instead.

The Starter Checklist, which replaced the old P46 form, collects key details like:

• Your full name and address
• National Insurance number
• Student loan status
• Pension details
• Whether this is your first job or you’ve had one before

This information helps your employer tell HMRC how much tax to deduct. It’s not quite the same as a P45, but it does the job until your real form turns up.

Do you get a P45 if you've been sacked?

Even if you’ve been sacked, you’re still legally entitled to a P45 form. It doesn’t matter how or why you left your job, your employer must issue one when your employment ends.

Your P45 simply shows how much you’ve earned and how much tax you’ve paid up to your leaving date. It doesn’t say anything about why you left, so there’s no need to worry about it affecting your next role.

If you don’t receive it, contact your employer or HR department and ask for it directly.

I'm retiring. Will I still get or need a p45?

You’ll still get a P45 form when you retire. Your employer must issue it once your final pay has been processed, just like they would if you were moving to another job.

Your P45 shows your total earnings and tax paid for the year, which helps make sure your pension provider puts you on the correct tax code. Without it, you could end up paying too much tax on your pension income.

Keep your P45 somewhere safe, you might need it for your records or if you claim a tax refund later on.

Will I end up on an emergency tax code if I don't have a p45?

If you start a new job without a P45 form, there’s a good chance you’ll be put on an emergency tax code. This happens when your new employer doesn’t have full details of your previous income and tax paid.

An emergency tax code means HMRC temporarily guesses your tax allowance, which can lead to you paying more tax than you should. It’s not permanent, but it can make your first payslips look lower than expected.

If this happens, you’ll see one of these codes on your payslip:

• 1250 W1
• 1250 M1
• 1250 X

These codes are only ever meant to be temporary, so it’s a good idea to get your proper tax code sorted out as quickly as possible.

To fix it, give your new employer your P45 as soon as you get it. If you don’t have one, complete a Starter Checklist instead so HMRC can update your record.

You might need to change your tax code if you start a new job, receive additional income, or if your personal allowance changes. It’s good to keep an eye on any tax code changes. If it’s wrong, you might be taxed too much or too little.

What do I do if my P45 looks wrong?

If something on your P45 form doesn’t look right, don’t ignore it. Even small errors can affect your tax. Check that the following details are correct:

1. Your name and National Insurance number

2. Your pay and tax to date

3. Your employer’s name and PAYE reference

4. Your tax code

If you spot a mistake, contact your employer or HR department straight away. They can correct and reissue your P45. If you can’t reach them, get in touch with HMRC to update your records directly.

Sorting it early saves you from being put on the wrong tax code or paying too much. And if you’ve already overpaid, RIFT Refunds can help you claim it back quickly and easily.

What is a P46?

A P46 form was the old version of what’s now called the Starter Checklist. HMRC replaced the P46 form a few years ago to make things simpler for both employers and employees.

If you start a job without a P45, you’ll be asked to fill in a Starter Checklist instead. It collects the same details the P46 form used to, like your income, student loans and pension status, so your employer can work out your correct tax code.

So if you hear someone mention a P46, they’re really talking about the modern Starter Checklist.

What's the difference between a P45 and a P60 form?

Your P45 and P60 both show details of your pay and tax, but they’re used at different times for different reasons.

• P45. You get this when you leave a job partway through the tax year. It shows your pay and tax so far and helps your next employer or HMRC keep your tax record accurate.
• P60. You get this at the end of the tax year from your current employer. It summarises your total income and tax for the year.

In short, your P45 is about leaving a job, while your P60 is about wrapping up the tax year.

How long is a P45 valid for?

Your P45 form doesn’t have an official expiry date, but it’s only valid for the tax year it was issued in. That’s because your tax code and earnings reset each 6 April when the new tax year starts.

If you change jobs within the same tax year, you can give your new employer your P45 straight away. If it’s from a previous tax year, it’s still useful for your records, but your employer will need to use a Starter Checklist instead.

Keep your old P45s for at least a few years as they’re handy for checking your tax history or claiming a tax refund later.

What do I do if I've lost my P45?

If you’ve lost your P45 form, don’t worry. It happens all the time. Unfortunately, HMRC can’t issue a replacement, because P45s come directly from your employer. This is what you can do instead:

• Contact your previous employer and ask if they can provide a digital copy or reprint. Many payroll systems can resend it securely by email.

• Keep your final payslip, as it shows similar details like your total pay and tax.

• If your new employer needs your information, fill in a Starter Checklist so you’re taxed correctly until things are sorted.

Losing your P45 won’t stop you from working or claiming a refund, you’ll just need to share your details another way. And if you’re unsure whether you’ve overpaid tax, we can check for you.

What's the difference between a P45 form and a 'Starter Checklist'?

Your P45 and the Starter Checklist both help your employer work out your tax, but they’re used in different situations. This is how they compare:

P45

• Given to you when you leave a job

• Shows your total pay and tax so far in the tax year

• Used by your new employer to make sure you’re taxed correctly straight away

Starter Checklist

• Used when you don’t have a P45, such as your first job or when your old employer hasn’t sent it yet.

• Collects key information like student loan status, pension details and previous job history.

• Helps your new employer tell HMRC how much tax to take.

Both make sure you’re on the right tax code and paying the correct amount. If you’re missing your P45, don’t stress. The Starter Checklist keeps everything running smoothly.