What is a year-end document?
A year-end document is a payroll record issued at the end of the tax year that summarises an employee's pay, tax, and National Insurance contributions. In the UK, the most common employee year-end document is the P60, which employers must provide to anyone employed on the final day of the tax year.
What information does a year-end document include?
A year-end document, usually a P60, gives a complete summary of an employee's payroll records for the tax year (6 April to 5 April). It typically includes:
- Employer name and PAYE reference
- Total taxable pay for the year
- Income Tax deducted through PAYE
- National Insurance contributions
- Student loan or postgraduate loan repayments, where applicable
- Statutory payments, such as maternity, paternity or adoption pay, if relevant
Employees often use this information to complete tax returns, claim tax refunds, apply for mortgages or loans, and verify their annual income. Employers must provide a P60 to anyone employed on 5 April, no later than 31 May following the end of the tax year.
Why are year-end documents important?
Year-end documents benefit both employers and employees by providing a clear record of payroll information for the completed tax year.
For employers
- Meet HMRC payroll reporting requirements.
- Keep accurate payroll and tax records.
- Reduce the risk of payroll errors and compliance issues.
- Support audits and future payroll reporting.
For employees
- Confirm annual pay, Income Tax, and National Insurance deductions.
- Provide proof of income for mortgages, loans, and tenancy applications.
- Help complete Self-Assessment tax returns, where required.
- Make it easier to spot and query payroll discrepancies.
Common year-end documents in the UK
| Document |
Purpose |
| P60 |
Summarises an employee's total pay, Income Tax and National Insurance contributions for the tax year. Issued to employees still employed on 5 April. |
| Final Full Payment Submission (FPS) |
Sent to HMRC to report the final payroll of the tax year and confirm year-end payroll information through PAYE. |
| Employer Payment Summary (EPS) |
Submitted when employers need to report adjustments, recover statutory payments or claim allowances not included in an FPS. |
| P11D |
Reports taxable benefits and expenses provided to employees that are not processed through payroll, where required. |
| Payroll records |
Employers must retain payroll records, including pay, deductions and RTI submissions, to support compliance and respond to HMRC queries if needed. |
When do employees receive a year-end document?
In the UK, employees who are still employed on 5 April (the last day of the tax year) must receive a P60 from their employer by 31 May. Employers can provide it in paper or digital format, provided the electronic version is accessible and printable. Employees who leave before 5 April receive a P45 instead, rather than a P60.
Tips for employers before issuing year-end documents
Issuing accurate year-end documents starts with well-maintained payroll records. Before sending them to employees:
- Check employee details, including names and National Insurance numbers.
- Reconcile payroll figures with your final PAYE submissions.
- Correct any payroll errors before the year-end process is complete.
- Ensure tax codes and deductions have been applied correctly.
- Issue P60s to eligible employees by 31 May.
- Keep copies of payroll records and submissions to meet HMRC record-keeping requirements.
Frequently asked questions
1. Is a P60 the same as a year-end document?
A P60 is the main year-end document in the UK. While employers also complete other year-end payroll reporting, the P60 is the document employees typically receive.
2. Do all employees receive a P60?
No. Only employees who are still employed on 5 April, the last day of the tax year, are entitled to receive a P60 from their employer.
3. How long should employers keep payroll records?
HMRC requires employers to keep payroll records for at least three years from the end of the tax year they relate to.
4. Can employees access year-end documents digitally?
Yes. Employers can issue P60s electronically, provided employees can easily access, download, and print the document if needed.
