Can You Get A Replacement If You Have Lost Your P45 Tax Return?
In case you are wondering whether or not you can get a replacement if you lose your P45 form, you will find the answer to your question in the following blog post; as well as detailed guidance on what to do in such a case.
Can You Get A Replacement If You Have Lost Your P45 Tax Return?
No, you cannot get a replacement if you’ve lost your P45 tax return form. Instead, you will have to contact HMRC and request a starter checklist so that your details can be recorded again and a tax code can be assigned to you for filing tax returns.
However, there may be one exception to this. Since a P45 is given by your employer when you leave a job, you can check with them in case your previous employer has a copy of your P45 form with them.
It is highly likely that your previous employer may be able to provide you with the printed version or a copy of your P45 form if they shared the form with you via email; while retaining the original document with them.
In addition to this, since your old employer is legally required to keep your P45 for at least three years, you can contact them and ask for a replacement if it’s been three years or less since you’ve changed jobs.
Alternatively, you can view your P45 information online if you have a Personal Tax Account.
If you cannot get your P45 from your old employer or your Personal Tax Account, you can contact HMRC and request the information you need.
How Can You Start A New Job Without A P45?
If you’ve lost your P45 form, you will need to apply for a starter checklist so that a tax code can be assigned to you for a tax deduction.
This means that to start a new job in the UK without a P45, you will need to provide the following information to HMRC:
- your full address including postcode,
- your student or postgraduate loan plan type (you can check your plan type by signing into your student loans repayment account),
- your passport number if you are an employee sent to work temporarily in the UK by an overseas employer,
- and your National Insurance number.
Once you have completed the checklist, you can email, post, or hand-deliver it to your employer (you should not send the checklist to HMRC). Your employer will use the information on the checklist to complete their payroll for your first payday.
In addition to this, you will also need to know details about any income you have received from 6 April from another job, a pension, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance, or Incapacity Benefit.
What Happens If You Start A New Job Without A P45?
If you start a new job without a P45, your new employer will need to work out your tax code based on the information you provide them. This may mean that you pay more tax in the short term. However, you will be able to claim back any overpaid tax when you complete your self-assessment tax return at the end of the year.
If you cannot get a replacement P45, you will need to provide your new employer with the following information:
- your National Insurance number
- your previous employer’s name and address
- the date you left your previous job
- the amount of tax you paid in your previous job
- the amount of National Insurance you contributed in your previous job
- your new employer will use this information to work out your correct tax code.
Conclusion:
The above discussion helps to conclude that you cannot get a replacement if you lose your P45 form; unless you’ve changed jobs in the previous three years and your previous employer still has a copy of the form. Otherwise, you will need to apply for a starter checklist to get your tax code reassigned.
References:
P45, P60 and P11D forms: workers’ guide: Lost PAYE forms – GOV.UK