Lost Payslips, Legal Rights & How to Retrieve Them 19 Aug 2025

What Happens if I Lost My Payslip?

If you’ve misplaced or lost a payslip, don’t panic. You still have options to prove your earnings and tax deductions:

• Ask your employer – They should be able to provide a duplicate or reissued payslip.

• Check your payroll portal – Many UK employers now provide digital payslips online.

• Use replacement services – If your employer cannot help, Payslips Online can issue replacement payslips that are HMRC-compliant and accepted as proof of income.

Losing a payslip doesn’t affect your tax record, but it can make applying for loans, visas, or rentals more difficult. That’s why it’s always a good idea to request a replacement quickly.

Is It Legal to Get Paid Without a Payslip?

No — under UK employment law, it is illegal for an employer to pay you without giving you a payslip.

By law, every employee and worker must receive an itemised payslip each time they are paid. This payslip must clearly show:

• Gross pay

• Tax and National Insurance deductions

• Net pay

• Other deductions (pension, student loan, etc.)

If you are being paid without a payslip, your employer is breaking the law. You have the right to raise this with your HR department, or if ignored, escalate the issue to ACAS or HMRC.

How Can I Retrieve a Payslip?

There are several ways to retrieve missing or old payslips:

1. From your employer – Request duplicate copies directly. Many HR departments can reissue them.

2. Through payroll software – If your company uses systems like Sage, Xero, or BrightPay, you can often log in and download previous payslips.

3. Replacement payslips – If you cannot access employer records, Payslips Online offers replacement payslips going back many years, delivered instantly by email or as printed copies.

This is especially helpful if:

• Your employer has gone out of business.

• You need documents urgently for mortgage or visa applications.

• Your old records are incomplete.

What If My Employer Is Not Giving Me a Payslip?

If your employer refuses to give you a payslip, they are breaking UK employment law. You should:

• Formally request it in writing – Keep a copy of your request.

• Contact ACAS – They offer free advice and mediation services for employment disputes.

• Report to HMRC – Employers must legally provide payslips; HMRC can investigate breaches.

In the meantime, if you urgently need payslips (for a bank, landlord, or immigration purpose), Payslips Online can provide replacement payslips that reflect your employment details, keeping your application process moving.

How Long to Keep a Payslip in HMRC’s Eyes?

HMRC recommends keeping payslips, P60s, and P45s for at least 22 months after the end of the tax year. However, it’s often wise to keep them for at least 6 years, especially if you’re self-employed or may need them for:

• Loan and mortgage applications

• Proof of income for benefits or tax credits

• Visa and immigration purposes

• Pension or redundancy claims

If you haven’t kept old payslips, you can order replacements through Payslips Online to rebuild your financial history.

Why Replacement Payslips Matter

Replacement payslips are useful when:

• You’ve lost or misplaced originals.

• Employers cannot or will not reissue them.

• You need multiple years of documentation quickly.

• HMRC documents (like tax overviews) are not enough for lenders or landlords.

Payslips Online provides fast, accurate, and HMRC-compliant replacement payslips by email or post.

✅ In Summary:

• Losing a payslip isn’t the end — you can retrieve them from your employer or through replacement services.

• It is illegal for an employer to pay you without a payslip.

• HMRC doesn’t issue payslips, but you should keep them for at least 22 months (ideally 6 years).

• If you’re stuck, Payslips Online can provide replacements quickly so you never miss out on financial opportunities.