What Everyone Should Know About Your P45

Are you an employee who has stopped working for an employer?

If so, you are entitled to receive a P45 form from your previous employer.  Whether you resigned, left to work for another employer or you were made redundant, your previous employer should have provided you with a P45 form when you left.

Our guide tells you everything that you need to know about your P45.

What is a P45 and what information does it contain?

You receive a P45 from your employer when you stop working for them.  It is a form which details a full record of your earnings and any tax that has been deducted from it in the current tax year.

Your P45 shows:

• The date you left your employer
• Your tax code
• Your PAYE reference number
• Your total earnings from that employment in the current tax year
• How much tax was deducted from your earnings in that tax year
• Your National Insurance Number

The four parts of your P45

Your P45 will come in four parts.

Part 1

Part 1 of your P45 will be sent to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) by your employer.  The remaining parts – parts 1A, 2 and 3 will be given to you.

Part 1A

You keep part 1A for your own records.

Parts 2 and 3

When you start to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance, or when you start with a new employer, you give Parts 2 and 3 to the Jobcentre or to your new employer.

Make sure that you look after your P45 as if you lose it, you won’t be able to get a replacement.   If you have lost your P45, your new employer may give you a P46 form to complete or ask you for the relevant information.  This is so they can pass these details on to HMRC in order that that they can give you a tax code for your new employment.

The law

Remember, that your employer should give you a P45 as a matter of course when you leave their employment.  You are entitled to a P45 by law and so don’t be fobbed off by your employer.