Category: National Insurance

Employers must pay Class 1A NICs for 2024–25 benefits by 19 July (post) or 22 July (electronic). These apply to perks like company cars and private health cover—late payment risks penalties from HMRC.

Class 1A NICs are payable by employers on the value of most taxable benefits offered to employees and directors, including company cars and private medical insurance. They are also due on any portion of termination payments exceeding £30,000, provided that Class 1 NICs have not already been applied.

To ensure the payment is correctly allocated, employers should use their Accounts Office reference number as the payment reference and clearly indicate the relevant tax year and month. It is important to note that Class 1A NICs paid in July always relate to the previous tax year.

There are three key dates employers must remember for the 2024–25 Class 1A NICs. Forms P11D and P11D(b) must be submitted by 6 July 2025. Postal cheque payments must reach HMRC by 19 July 2025, and electronic payments must clear into HMRC’s bank account by 22 July 2025.

These contributions generally apply to benefits provided to company directors, employees, individuals in controlling positions, and their family or household members.

Employers must pay Class 1A NICs on 2024–25 benefits by 19 July (22 July if paying electronically). Avoid penalties by meeting deadlines and using correct references.

Employers are reminded of the upcoming Class 1A National Insurance contributions (NICs) deadline, which applies to most benefits in kind provided to employees during the 2024–25 tax year. These contributions must be paid by 19 July 2025 (or 22 July 2025 if paying electronically) to avoid penalties.

Class 1A NICs are payable by employers on the value of most taxable benefits provided to employees and directors, such as company cars and private medical insurance. They are also due on the portion of termination payments exceeding £30,000, where Class 1 NICs haven’t already been applied.

To ensure payment is correctly allocated, employers must use their Accounts Office reference number as the payment reference and indicate clearly which tax year and month the payment relates to. Note that Class 1A NICs paid in July will always relate to the previous tax year.

There are three key dates to keep in mind for 2024–25 Class 1A NICs:

• 6 July 2025 – Submission deadline for forms P11D and P11D(b) (‘Return of Class 1A National Insurance contributions due’)
• 19 July 2025 – Deadline for postal cheque payments to be received by HMRC
• 22 July 2025 – Deadline for electronic payments to clear into HMRC’s bank account

These contributions are typically due on benefits provided to:

• Company directors and those in controlling positions
• Employees
• Family members or household members of the above

A reminder that increases to the rate of National Insurance contributions (NICs) that are paid by employers came into effect on 6 April 2025. The main rate of secondary Class 1 NICs has increased to 15% (from 13.8%). This applies to earnings above the secondary threshold for employees. In addition, both Class 1A and Class 1B employer NIC rates—typically applied to benefits-in-kind and PAYE settlement agreements—have also increased in line with the main secondary rate.

The Class 1 NICs secondary threshold, the level at which employers start to pay NICs, has been reduced to £5,000 (from £9,100) per year. This change took effect on 6 April 2025 and will last until 5 April 2028. After that, the threshold will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

To help mitigate the impact of these increases—particularly for smaller employers—the government has expanded the Employment Allowance. From April 2025, the allowance has risen from £5,000 to £10,500. The previous eligibility restriction, which limited the allowance to businesses with less than £100,000 in annual employer NIC liabilities, has now been removed. This change means more employers will now qualify for the allowance.

Self-employed individuals earning £12,570 or more annually must pay Class 4 National Insurance Contributions (NICs). For 2024-25, rates are 6% on profits up to £50,270 and 2% above this. Certain groups are exempt, and voluntary Class 2 NICs may be beneficial.

Class 4 NIC rates for the tax year 2024-25 are 6% for chargeable profits between £12,570 and £50,270 plus 2% on any profits over £50,270. There are no changes to these rates for 2025-26.

A number of categories of people are exempt from paying Class 4 NICs, these include:

• People under the age of 16 at the beginning of the year of assessment.
• People over State pension age at the beginning of the year of assessment. A person who attains State pension age during the course of the year of assessment remains liable for Class 4 NICs for the whole of that year.
• People receiving profits in their capacity as a trustee, executor or administrator of a person liable to tax under ITTOIA2005/S8.

The mandatory payment of Class 2 National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for the self-employed was abolished effective from 6 April 2024. It can be beneficial for some self-employed people who do not pay NICs through self-assessment to make voluntarily Class 2 NICs. This can help them to access certain contributory benefits including the State Pension. It is important to confirm that this would be beneficial before making any voluntary payment. The current weekly rate for making voluntary Class 2 NICs is £3.45 and is increasing to £3.50 in 2025-26.

Most self-employed individuals pay Class 2 and Class 4 NICs through self-assessment. Certain self-employed roles, such as examiners, moderators, invigilators, and ministers of religion without a salary do not pay National Insurance through self-assessment but may want to pay voluntary contributions.

Even if you have never been employed, you might have been eligible for NI credits without realising it. For example, if you have been a carer for a sick or disabled person for more than 20 hours a week, you could have claimed Carer's Credit. Similarly, if you have been receiving certain benefits, such as Jobseeker's Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance, you might have automatically received NI credits.

It's a good idea to review your personal history to see if there are any periods where you might have been eligible for NI credits. If you identify such periods, you can contact the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to see if your NI record can be updated accordingly.

Paying Voluntary Contributions

If you are below the State Pension age and have gaps in your NI record, you can choose to pay voluntary contributions to boost your State Pension entitlement. This can be particularly beneficial if you have some qualifying years but not enough to reach the 10-year minimum.

Before deciding to pay voluntary contributions, it's important to:

• Check Your National Insurance Record: This will show you any gaps in your contributions and how they affect your State Pension forecast.
• Evaluate the Cost: Voluntary contributions come at a cost, so you'll need to assess whether the potential increase in your State Pension is worth the expense.
• Consider Your Health and Life Expectancy: If you're in poor health, it might not be financially beneficial to make voluntary contributions.

You can find more information on paying voluntary NI contributions on the GOV.UK website.

From 6 April 2025, employers will face a 1.2% rise in National Insurance contributions, alongside a lower NICs threshold. However, an increased Employment Allowance aims to ease the burden for small businesses. Here’s what you need to prepare for these key changes.

The main rate of secondary Class 1 NICs will rise by 1.2%, from 13.8% to 15%. This increase will also apply to the employer rates for Class 1A and Class 1B NICs.

In addition, the Class 1 NICs secondary threshold—the point at which employers begin to pay NICs—will be lowered from £9,100 to £5,000 per year, effective from 6 April 2025. This reduced threshold will remain in place until 5 April 2028. After this period, the secondary Class 1 NICs threshold will be adjusted annually in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

To help support small businesses in adapting to these changes, the Employment Allowance will increase from £5,000 to £10,500. The Employment Allowance allows eligible employers to reduce their NICs liability. Currently, this allowance is available only to employers with NIC liabilities of under £100,000.

The £100,000 threshold for the Employment Allowance will also be removed, allowing all eligible small businesses to benefit from the increased rate. According to government figures, this change means that approximately 865,000 employers will pay no NICs in the coming year. These changes take effect from April 2025. An employer can claim less than the maximum if this covers their total Class 1 NICs bill.

Misplaced your National Insurance number? Do not worry! From checking payslips to using the HMRC app, there are many ways to recover it. If all else fails, you can request it via post. Here is everything you need to know to locate or apply for your NI number.

Firstly, you could try and locate the number on paperwork such as your tax return, payslip or P60. You can also use your personal tax account or the HMRC App to find your National Insurance number.

If your National Insurance number still cannot be found a request can be submitted in writing to HMRC using form CA5403 or by telephone. HMRC will not disclose your number over the telephone and will instead send the details by post to the address HMRC has for you on file. The details should arrive within 15 days.

Teenagers should automatically be sent a letter just before their 16th birthday detailing their National Insurance number. These letters should be kept in a safe place. The old plastic National Insurance cards that some of our readers may remember are no longer available.

The National Insurance number helpline can help those aged between 16 and 20 who have not received a letter with details of their National Insurance number as well as other new applicants. An individual must have the right to work or study in the UK in order to apply for a National Insurance number.

If you have lost or forgotten your National Insurance number, there are several ways to retrieve it.

You can find your National Insurance number:

• On a document you already possess, such as a P60, payslip, or letters regarding benefits.
• In your personal tax account.
• In the HMRC app.
• In your Apple or Google Wallet (if you have previously saved it there).

You can also download a letter showing your National Insurance number through your personal tax account or the HMRC app.

If you are still unable to find your National Insurance number, you can request it online, submit a written request to HMRC using form CA5403 or contact HMRC by phone. Teenagers will usually receive a letter with their National Insurance number just before turning 16.

If you have never been issued a National Insurance number, you can apply for one, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.

The upcoming increase in Employers’ National Insurance Contributions (NICs) is set to have significant repercussions for UK businesses. Employers’ NICs are essentially a tax on wages, paid by businesses as a percentage of their employees’ earnings above a certain threshold. Any increase to this rate affects the cost of employment, which in turn has a ripple effect on the broader economy. Below, we explore the potential implications of this policy change.

Increased Costs for Businesses

The most immediate impact of higher Employers’ NICs will be the increase in employment costs for businesses. With wage inflation already a concern, particularly in sectors like healthcare, technology, and construction, many businesses are likely to see these additional costs as a further squeeze on their operating budgets.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are expected to feel the pressure most acutely. Unlike larger corporations, SMEs often operate on tighter profit margins and lack the financial resilience to absorb additional taxes without adjusting elsewhere. Many will face tough decisions about whether to reduce hiring, cut back on other expenses, or pass the cost increases on to customers.

Pressure on Wages

Another likely consequence is the impact on wage growth. While employees will not pay directly for Employers’ NICs, the tax does influence how businesses allocate resources. Employers may choose to offset rising NICs by slowing down wage increases or freezing salaries altogether.

In industries that rely heavily on skilled labour, such as technology and finance, this could lead to a talent drain if employees perceive UK companies as less competitive in terms of remuneration. This is particularly concerning at a time when retaining talent is crucial for business growth and innovation.

Potential Reduction in Job Creation

Higher employment costs could deter businesses from creating new jobs. This effect is particularly concerning given ongoing challenges in the UK labour market, including skills shortages in key sectors. While the government often argues that NIC increases help fund essential services like healthcare and pensions, businesses may interpret this move as a disincentive to invest in growth.

The hardest-hit sectors are likely to include those with high labour costs, such as retail, hospitality, and care services. These industries may either cut back on hours, delay new hires, or rely more heavily on temporary or contract workers to avoid incurring higher NIC obligations.

Knock-On Effects on Inflation

If businesses decide to pass on the increased costs to consumers, this could exacerbate inflationary pressures. For example, a restaurant chain facing higher payroll taxes might increase menu prices, adding to the cost-of-living burden already felt by many households. Similarly, in sectors like manufacturing and logistics, increased costs could ripple through supply chains, driving up the price of goods and services.

Encouraging Automation and Outsourcing

Another long-term consequence may be the acceleration of automation and outsourcing. Faced with rising employment costs, businesses could invest more heavily in technology to reduce their reliance on human labour. For instance, retailers might expand the use of self-checkout systems, while manufacturers could adopt advanced robotics to streamline production.

Outsourcing jobs to countries with lower employment taxes may also become more appealing, particularly for roles in IT, customer service, and other remote-friendly professions. While such strategies may help businesses remain competitive, they could reduce the availability of jobs in the UK.

Impact on Public Finances

From the government’s perspective, increasing Employers’ NICs is a way to generate additional revenue, which may be earmarked for public spending on areas like healthcare, pensions, or infrastructure. However, there is a risk that higher NICs could dampen economic activity, potentially reducing the overall tax base. If businesses cut jobs or wages, the government may collect less income tax and employees’ NICs, undermining the intended fiscal benefits of the policy.

Mitigating the Impact

To counter the negative effects of this tax rise, businesses may consider several strategies. For example, improving operational efficiency, investing in staff training to enhance productivity, or restructuring employment contracts to include more part-time roles could help offset costs.

The government, too, may need to introduce relief measures to help businesses adapt. Options could include raising the Employment Allowance, which offsets NICs for smaller employers, or introducing targeted tax incentives for businesses that invest in innovation or training.

Conclusion

The planned increase in Employers’ NICs for 2024 will undoubtedly pose challenges for UK businesses, especially smaller enterprises and labour-intensive sectors. While it may generate much-needed revenue for public services, the policy risks curbing job creation, dampening wage growth, and fuelling inflation. Businesses and policymakers alike will need to work creatively to manage these challenges and ensure that the long-term impacts do not outweigh the short-term fiscal benefits.

As the UK economy grapples with a range of pressures, including global economic uncertainty, rising interest rates, and inflation, the effects of this NIC increase will be closely watched by employers, employees, and the government alike.

As had been widely predicted, the Chancellor announced increases to the rate of National Insurance contributions (NICs) that are paid by employers. The main rate of secondary Class 1 NICs will increase by 1.2% to 15% (from 13.8%) effective from 6 April 2025. The Class 1A and Class 1B employer rates will also increase in line with this change.

The Class 1 NICs secondary threshold, the level at which employers start to pay NICs, will also be reduced to £5,000 (from £9,100) per year. This change will take effect from 6 April 2025 and last until 5 April 2028. Thereafter, the secondary Class 1 NICs threshold will be increased annually in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

To help small businesses with these changes it was also announced by the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, that the Employment Allowance will increase from £5,000 to £10,500. Currently, the allowance is only available to employers that have employer NIC liabilities of under £100,000. The Chancellor confirmed that this threshold will be removed and that all eligible small businesses will benefit from the increased rate. Government figures have confirmed that this results in 865,000 employers paying no NICs next year. These changes will come into effect from April 2025.

HMRC has issued a new press release reminding readers of a limited-time opportunity to enhance their State Pension. Currently, there is an opportunity for affected individuals to address gaps in their National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for tax years between April 2006 and April 2018. Originally set to end on 5 April 2023, this deadline has been extended several times and will now close on 5 April 2025. This means there are just under six months left for those who may benefit from this extension to act.

Usually, HMRC allows voluntary NIC contributions for the previous six tax years, with the deadline being 5 April each year. You can check your State Pension forecast and any gaps in your NICs by using the "Check Your State Pension" service on GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/check-state-pension. Since launching the service in April 2024, HMRC reports that over 10,000 payments totalling £12.5 million have been made through the digital service to help people boost their State Pension.

You might consider making voluntary NICs if:

• You are close to State Pension age and do not have enough qualifying years to get the full State Pension.
• You know you will not be able to get the qualifying years you need to get the full State Pension during the remainder of your working life.
• You are self-employed and do not have to pay Class 2 National Insurance contributions because they have low profits.
• You live outside the UK but want to qualify for some benefits.

If you fall into any of these categories, it may be worthwhile to apply for a State Pension forecast and assess whether making voluntary NICs to fill in any gaps would be beneficial. Keep in mind that not everyone will benefit, as this will depend on factors such as your age and NIC contribution history.

Self-employed individuals are usually required to pay Class 4 National Insurance contributions (NICs) if their annual profits exceed £12,570. For the 2024-25 tax year, Class 4 NIC rates are set at 6% (down from 9% in 2023-24) on profits between £12,570 and £50,270, with an additional 2% charged on profits above £50,270.

Certain groups are exempt from paying Class 4 NICs, including:

• Individuals under 16 at the start of the tax year.
• Individuals over State Pension age at the start of the tax year. If someone reaches State Pension age during the tax year, they remain liable for Class 4 NICs for the entire tax year.
• Trustees and guardians of incapacitated individuals are exempt from paying Class 4 NICs on that income.

The Class 4 NIC rate is lower than the corresponding rate for employees, who pay 8% on the same income levels. Both employees and the self-employed contribute 2% on income above the higher rate threshold.

The majority of individuals pay Class 4 National Insurance via self-assessment.

Employees with more than one job may be eligible to defer or delay paying Class 1 National Insurance in certain situations. This deferment can be considered if any of the following apply:

• You pay Class 1 National Insurance to more than one employer.
• You earn £967 or more per week from one job over the tax year.
• You earn £1,209 or more per week from two jobs combined over the tax year.

This deferral may allow for reduced NIC deductions of 2% on weekly earnings between £242 and £967 in one of your jobs, instead of the standard 8% rate.

At the end of the tax year, HMRC will review your National Insurance contributions and notify you if you owe NIC arrears.

Most self-employed individuals are also required to pay Class 4 NICs. While it was previously possible to defer these contributions, that option is no longer available. However, you may be able to claim a refund for past tax years.

HMRC together with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have issued a press release urging tens of thousands of people to check if they are eligible to boost their State Pension utilising Home Responsibility Protection (HRP).

This HRP scheme has helped protect parents’ and carers’ State Pension. HRP reduces the number of qualifying years a person with caring responsibilities needed to receive, to secure a full basic State Pension. HRP was replaced by National Insurance credits in 2010.

Between 6 April 1978 and 5 April 2010, most eligible individuals automatically received Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP). However, this did not apply in all cases, and it is still possible to apply for HRP if you believe it’s missing from your National Insurance (NI) record. During Pensions Awareness Week, HMRC is encouraging those affected—primarily women at or near State Pension age—to check their NI records for gaps and potentially increase their State Pension at no cost.

If HRP is missing from someone’s NI record, it does not necessarily mean that their State Pension calculation is wrong, but it could be, especially if they took significant time-out from employment to raise a family.

The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury said:

“The State Pension is the foundation of state support for people in retirement. We are urging people to check their National Insurance records to make sure they will receive the pension they deserve.”

If a claim is successful, HMRC will update the individual’s NI record, and the DWP will recalculate their State Pension entitlement. Depending on the individual’s situation, their State Pension entitlement may increase or stay the same.

Most self-employed people are required to pay Class 4 National Insurance contributions (NICs) if their profits are £12,570 or more a year. Class 4 NIC rates for the tax year 2024-25 are 6% for chargeable profits between £12,570 and £50,270 plus 2% on any profits over £50,270.

A number of categories of people are exempt from paying Class 4 NICs, these include:

• People under the age of 16 at the beginning of the year of assessment.
• People over State pension age at the beginning of the year of assessment. A person who attains State pension age during the course of the year of assessment remains liable for Class 4 NICs for the whole of that year.
• People receiving profits in their capacity as a trustee, executor or administrator of a person liable to tax.

The mandatory payment of Class 2 National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for the self-employed was abolished effective from 6 April 2024. It can be beneficial for some self-employed people who do not pay NICs through self-assessment to make voluntary Class 2 NICs. This can help them access certain contributory benefits including the State Pension. It is important to confirm that this would be beneficial before making any voluntary payment. The current weekly rate for making voluntary Class 2 NICs is £3.45.