How to get copies of your tax records from HMRC without a SAR

You can get most of your tax records from HMRC free and straight away by signing in to your personal tax account or the HMRC app. These show your income from work, the Income Tax you paid, your National Insurance record and your Self Assessment calculations. A subject access request (SAR) is only needed for information those services do not show.

Do you need a subject access request at all?

Usually not. HMRC’s subject access request guidance, last updated 2 April 2026, says you should only ask for information that is not already available in your personal tax account, the HMRC app or the Income Record Viewer.

A SAR is slower. HMRC aims to reply within one month, and up to 3 months for complex or repeated requests. The online services give you the figures in minutes.

Which record can you get where?

Each common record has a self-service route.

How to see your past income and tax paid

Your personal tax account lets you check your income from work and how much Income Tax you paid in the previous 5 years. To use it:

1. Go to the personal tax account page on GOV.UK.
2. Sign in with your GOV.UK sign-in details, or create them.
3. Prove your identity if asked, usually with a passport or driving licence.
4. Open the section for PAYE income or Income Tax paid and choose the tax year.

The HMRC app shows your employment history and Annual Tax Summary in the same way. Our guide to GOV.UK One Login for HMRC explains the sign-in change, and the HMRC online account guide covers setup.

What to do if you have lost your P60

Ask your employer for a replacement first. GOV.UK says that if they cannot provide one, you can use your personal tax account or the HMRC app to find the information that would be on the P60, or contact HMRC and ask for it.

Employers must give a P60 by 31 May to anyone working for them on 5 April. GOV.UK says you need your P60 to prove the tax you paid, for example for a refund claim or a mortgage, so check whether your lender will accept a printout instead.

How to get your National Insurance record

Sign in to check your National Insurance record on GOV.UK. It shows what you have paid up to the start of the current tax year, 6 April 2026, any credits, and gaps that may affect your State Pension.

If you cannot go online, you have three options:

• request a printed statement through the GOV.UK form, using your National Insurance number
• use form CA3916 if you live abroad
• write to PT Operations North East England, HM Revenue and Customs, BX9 1AN, saying which years you need

You cannot request a postal statement for the current or previous tax year.

How to get copies of Self Assessment calculations

Print your SA302 and tax year overview from your HMRC online account. Go to Self Assessment, then “More details about your Self Assessment returns and payments”. GOV.UK says you can get an SA302 for the last 4 years, but not until 72 hours after you file.

If your accountant filed with commercial software, the calculation comes from that software instead. See our full guide to the SA302 and tax year overview.

How agents can see client records

Agents can use the Income Record Viewer in their agent services account. It shows a client’s PAYE employment records, pay and tax, student loan deductions, latest tax code, taxable benefits and pension income for the current tax year and the 4 previous years.

The client must accept a digital handshake first. HMRC’s guidance, updated 5 March 2026, says this gives IRV access only; you still need a valid 64-8 or online authorisation to discuss the client’s affairs. Our guide to the HMRC agent services account covers setup.

Which applies to you?

Use this list to pick the right route.

• If you need pay and tax figures for a recent year, use your personal tax account or the HMRC app.
• If you need proof of self-employed income for a mortgage, print the SA302 and tax year overview.
• If you need your NI history, check your National Insurance record online or by post.
• If you need notes of calls, letters or internal HMRC records, make a subject access request.
• If you need records older than the online services show, a SAR is likely to be the only route.

Frequently asked questions

How many years of tax history can I see online?

Your personal tax account shows income from work and Income Tax paid for the previous 5 years. SA302 calculations are available for the last 4 years.

Can HMRC send me a copy of my P60?

HMRC does not issue P60s; your employer does. If your employer cannot replace it, the same figures are in your personal tax account and the HMRC app, or you can contact HMRC.

Can my accountant get my tax records for me?

Yes. An agent can use the Income Record Viewer once you accept their authorisation request, and can print tax calculations from their software. For a SAR sent to someone else, HMRC asks for its consent form plus a letter saying what can be released.

How long does a subject access request take?

HMRC should reply within one month. It can take up to 3 months if you have made several requests or the request is complex, and HMRC will write to tell you about any delay.