Category Archives: National Insurance

Employers are reminded that Class 1A National Insurance contributions (NICs) for the 2025–26 tax year must be paid by 19 July 2026 (or 22 July 2026 if paying electronically) to avoid penalties. These payments relate to the benefits in kind provided to employees and directors, and on Class 1A NICs on benefits, termination payments and sporting testimonial payments.

Class 1A NICs are payable on most taxable benefits in kind such as company cars, private medical insurance and other employment-related benefits provided to employees, directors, and their families or household members. 

They are also due on the taxable element of certain termination payments above £30,000, where Class 1 NICs have not already been paid. In addition, employers should note that Class 1A NICs may also apply to sporting testimonial and similar payments, depending on how they are treated under employment income rules.

To ensure payments are allocated correctly, employers must use their Accounts Office reference number and clearly identify the relevant tax year. Class 1A NICs paid in July will always relate to the preceding tax year.

The important dates to be aware of for 2025–26 Class 1A NICs are:

• 6 July 2026 – Submission deadline for forms P11D and P11D(b)
• 19 July 2026 – Deadline for postal payments to reach HMRC
• 22 July 2026 – Deadline for electronic payments to clear HMRC’s bank account

Employers should ensure both reporting and payment obligations are met on time to avoid penalties and interest charges.

Your National Insurance record can be checked online to see what contributions and credits you have built up and whether you have any gaps that may affect your State Pension.

The record shows how much National Insurance you have paid up to the start of the current tax year, as well as any National Insurance credits you have received. It also highlights whether any years do not count as qualifying years for your State Pension.

By reviewing your record, you can see if paying voluntary contributions could help fill gaps and improve your State Pension entitlement. The service also provides a State Pension forecast and shows how this may change if you choose to make additional payments, including whether you can pay online and how much it may cost.

To access the service, you need to sign in or create a Government Gateway or GOV.UK One login. You may be asked to verify your identity using photo ID such as a passport or driving licence.

You can also request a printed National Insurance statement online, by phone or by post, although you cannot request details for the current or previous tax year. 

Many people are unaware that gaps in their National Insurance (NI) record can affect their entitlement to the State Pension and certain state benefits. In some cases, it may be worthwhile to consider making voluntary NI contributions to fill these gaps.

Gaps can arise for a number of reasons, including periods of low earnings, unemployment without claiming benefits, self-employment with small profits, or time spent living and working abroad. If sufficient qualifying years are not built up, this could reduce the amount of State Pension ultimately received.

Voluntary contributions can help increase State Pension entitlement, particularly for those approaching retirement age who do not have enough qualifying years, or those who expect to fall short of the years needed for a full State Pension. They may also be worth considering for individuals living overseas who wish to maintain their entitlement to UK pension benefits.

However, paying voluntary contributions does not always provide a benefit. For example, some individuals who were contracted out of the State Pension system may see little or no increase in their pension entitlement. Before making any payment, it is important to review your National Insurance record and obtain a State Pension forecast.

Taxpayers should also check whether they are entitled to National Insurance credits, as these may fill gaps without the need to make voluntary contributions. Taking advice before paying can help ensure that any contributions serve a useful purpose.

National Insurance contributions that relate to employee benefits are known as Class 1A National Insurance contributions. Employers must pay these National Insurance contributions on most work-related benefits provided to employees, such as a company mobile phone or other non-cash perks.

Class 1A National Insurance also applies to certain termination payments. For example, employers may need to pay Class 1A National Insurance contributions on payments exceeding £30,000 made when an employee’s employment ends, such as redundancy or other termination awards. However, this only applies where Class 1 National Insurance has not already been charged on those amounts.

Timing of payment depends on the nature of the liability. For benefits in kind, Class 1A National Insurance is generally payable annually, with payment due by 22 July following the end of the tax year (or 19 July if paying by post). The payment of Class 1A National Insurance on termination awards is dealt with through PAYE at the time the payment is made.

Late payment can result in interest and penalties, so ensuring timely reporting and payment is important.

Most self-employed people are required to pay Class 4 National Insurance contributions (NICs).  Class 4 NICs are payable if their profits are £12,570 or more a year.

Class 4 NIC rates are currently 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 tax 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 advantageous 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 2026-27 weekly rate for making voluntary Class 2 NICs is £3.65.

Most self-employed individuals pay Class 2 and Class 4 NICs via the self-assessment system. Certain self-employed individuals, such as examiners, moderators, invigilators, and ministers of religion, without a salary, do not pay National Insurance through self-assessment but it may be beneficial for them to make voluntary contributions.