Self-employed NIC charges

There are two types of National Insurance contributions (NICs) payable by the self-employed. These are known as Class 2 NICs and Class 4 NICs.

Class 2 NICs are paid by all self-employed taxpayers unless they earn under the Small Profits Threshold (SPT), currently £6,515, which remove the necessity to pay NICs. Class 2 NICs are currently payable at a flat weekly rate of £3.05 for the current 2021-22 tax year. Class 2 NICs count towards payments such as the basic State Pension, the employment and support allowance, maternity allowance and bereavement benefits.

The self-employed are required to pay Class 4 NICs (as well as to Class 2 NICs) if their profits are £9,569 or more a year. Class 4 NIC rates for the tax year 2021-22 are 9% for chargeable profits between £9,569 and £50,270 plus 2% on any profits over £50,270.

There is a specific list of jobs where class 2 NICs are not payable. These are:

• examiners, moderators, invigilators and people who set exam questions
• people who run businesses involving land or property
• ministers of religion who do not receive a salary or stipend
• people who make investments for themselves or others – but not as a business and without getting a fee or commission

If you fall within any of these categories it can be beneficial to get a State Pension forecast and examine whether voluntary Class 2 NICs should be made to make up missing years contributions.