NIM72150 | Class 2 National Insurance contributions: payments: higher rate provisions

Section 12(3) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act (SSCBA) 1992

Regulation 64, Social Security (Contributions) Regulations (SSCR) 2001 (SI 2001 No. 1004)

NIM72050 explains who can pay Class 2 National Insurance contributions (NICs) voluntarily.

From 6 April 2015, higher rate provisions only apply to those not required to pay Class 2 NICs through Self Assessment (SA).

If voluntary Class 2 NICs are paid after the end of the tax year following the one for which they are payable, they may be due at a higher rate. For example, voluntary Class 2 NICs payable for tax year 2021 to 2022 may be due at a higher rate if not paid by 5 April 2023.

This does not apply where regulation 65(2) of SSCR 2001 is applied – see NIM72200.

Under regulation 64 of SSCR 2001, if HMRC notifies payment of Class 2 NICs is due in the last month of a tax year and they are paid within four weeks of the request they will remain payable at the rates which applied at the time the payment was requested.