P45 Vs. P46

[whiskeysheri]

I'm due to start my new job at the start of next month. With my contract, my new employer has requested my P45 or a completed P46. I've had a quick browse on Google and it says that if I would prefer to keep my current salary confidential (which I would) from my new employer, I should send off my P45 myself to the tax office with a letter explaining so, and so I can be put on the correct tax code. If I was to do this, would I also need to give a P46 to my new employer in its place, or is that me covered? Or, alternatively, do I just give my new employer the P46 instead of doing anything with the P45? And if so, will I be put straight onto emergency tax?

I only ask as obtaining a P45 is going to be a bit of a hassle, and I'd like the move between jobs to be as smooth as possible. Thanks in advance. :)

[JonnyBoy12]

You have not said what your new job is, whiskeysheri. We may be of more help if we knew this.

[whiskeysheri]

Thanks, Jonny, but it's not really relevant, is it? :)

[bednobs]

why?

[JonnyBoy12]

Sorry I can not be of more help as am out of work myself but just wondering if this differed between jobs.

Hope the others can be of more help.

[whiskeysheri]

Ah, well, thank you. I'm working in an office now, and will be again in my new position, but I'd have thought the rules regarding P45s, etc, would be the same regardless of what the job is. :)

[ChuckFickens]

You can get away with completing a P46 and handing it to your new employer, your old employer would have already sent their part of the P45 to the tax office which would tell them all the info they need..

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/p46.pdf

[ChuckFickens]

And it makes burger all difference what the job is as long as it's a PAYE job.

[ummmm]

As Chuck says....just fill in a P46. You'll probably be on emergency tax until HMRC get back to your new firm with your tax code.

Good luck :-) x

[whiskeysheri]

Great stuff. Thanks, guys. P46 it is, then. :)

[whiskeysheri]

Chuck and Ummmm, if I handed in my completed P46 to my new employer when I started, what would happen to me tax-wise if, theoretically, something happened to my current employer (going bust, for instance) that meant they never sent off my P45 to the tax office?

[ummmm]

The simplest answer....go to your nearest tax office. They are soo helpful and they'll sort it all out for you.

Your P45 is in triplicate....one for you, your old employer and your new employer....

[redcrx]

surely, either way, the new employer will see what youve earnt to date this tax year.

[twix123]

Fill in a P46 and hand it to your new employer. Your old employer should hand you 2 parts of the P45, the 3rd part, intended for the tax office, is no longer needed as the old employer should inform HMRC electronically of the same details.

Your new employer should inform HMRC electronically that you have started with them and supplied a P46. You will probably be put on basic rate tax until HMRC then inform your new employer of your tax coding.

You will need to retain your copies of the P45, which together with the P60 you should get at the end of the tax year from your new employer, will show your earnings and tax paid, to enable you to make any claim for a refund of the overpaid tax.

If you want your tax to be correct from when you start with your new employer you must give them your P45 instead.