If you’ve recently left a job in the UK, your employer is legally required to provide you with a P45 form. This form details your earnings and the tax you’ve paid during the tax year. But what happens if you lose it—or never received one?
A P45 is an official document given when you leave employment. It has four parts:
Part 1 – sent directly to HMRC
Parts 2 & 3 – for your new employer (or Jobcentre Plus if claiming benefits)
Part 1A – your personal copy
Without it, you may face delays in getting taxed correctly at your new job.
HMRC does not reissue P45 forms. If you’ve lost yours:
Your new employer may ask you to complete a starter checklist to determine the right tax code.
You can check your earnings and tax history using your Personal Tax Account on HMRC’s website.
If your P45 was issued via PayslipsOnline, you can instantly retrieve a replacement.
If your employer used PayslipsOnline to issue your P45, you can:
Log in to your account.
Go to the P45 Documents section.
Select the required year.
Download your replacement instantly.
There’s no fee for replacement P45s issued via PayslipsOnline.
Legally, employers can only issue one P45 per employment. If it’s lost, they cannot create another. Instead, they may issue a letter with equivalent details. However, if you originally received it through PayslipsOnline, our secure platform ensures you can download a duplicate copy.
It’s recommended that you keep your P45 for at least six years in case HMRC needs to verify your records.
✅ Key Benefits of Using PayslipsOnline for P45s:
Instant replacement download
100% free for registered users
Secure and encrypted document access
Simple and hassle-free
A P45 is an official form issued by your employer when you leave a job. It outlines your earnings, tax paid, and National Insurance contributions for the current tax year. It consists of four parts:
Part 1: sent to HMRC
Parts 2 & 3: given to your new employer (or Jobcentre Plus)
Part 1A: your personal copy to keep safe GOV.UKANNA Money
You’ll need a P45 to:
Ensure you're taxed correctly in a new job
Provide proof of earnings and tax paid
Assist with tax returns and applications like loans or benefits ANNA Moneypayslipsonline.co.uk
The UK Government does not provide replacement P45s. Instead, if you’ve lost your P45, your new employer may have you complete a ‘starter checklist’ to determine your correct tax code GOV.UKTaxScouts.
Yes. If your previous employer issued your P45 via PayslipsOnline, you can log in and download a duplicate or replacement for free through our secure platform.
Log in to your PayslipsOnline account.
Navigate to the P45 section under “Documents.”
Select the year required and click "Request Replacement."
Your replacement is typically available to download immediately—no waiting. payslipsonline.co.uk
No—our service provides free access to your P45 replacements as a registered user of PayslipsOnline.
Yes—you can download or request replacements for any year available in your account.
HMRC legislation prevents issuing a second P45 for the same employment period—but if you originally received a digital version (via PayslipsOnline), our system allows you to retrieve it. If you were issued a paper copy, your employer may be limited to issuing a letter with equivalent details instead bsc.croneri.co.ukSmartcommunityhub.sage.com.
If your former employer didn’t provide one, contact their payroll department—it’s a legal requirement. If that fails, your new employer can use a starter checklist. You can also check your Personal Tax Account via HMRC for your tax details ANNA MoneyGOV.UKSmart.
Contact your former employer immediately to amend it. If the form has been sent to HMRC incorrectly, they can assist with corrections ANNA Money.
Keep it for at least six years after the end of the tax year it relates to. HMRC may conduct checks going back many years, so holding onto your records longer is wise Smart.
P45s are only issued by employers. If you're self-employed, you may need bank statements, invoices, or other financial records instead.
Instant access to digital replacements if issued via us
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Support team available for assistance if you encounter any issues