<p>I often accidentally create a branch that contains more code than it needs to. When that happens, I delete the branch files, the branch tag, and then start over. The thing that stinks is having to sync the huge pile of data just so I can delete it.</p>

<p>Is there a way to delete server-side?</p>

Yes, use sync -k.
Add the path you want to delete to your client, e.g.
```
```
//depot/oops/... //your-client/oops/...
```
```
Then sync that location using the -k option:
```
```
p4 sync -k oops/...
```
```
This will tell Perforce that your client has the files without actually transferring them.  Then you can do:
```
```
p4 delete oops/...
p4 submit oops/...
```
```
etc.