Pay voluntary Class 2 National Insurance contributions if you do not pay through Self Assessment
If you live in the UK
You’ll need to register with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to pay voluntary Class 2 National Insurance contributions if you do not pay through Self Assessment.
You can register at any time and can usually pay contributions for the past 6 tax years. Check the deadlines for paying voluntary Class 2 contributions.
After you’ve registered
HMRC will send you a payment request between September and the end of October telling you how much to pay.
The payment request will include an 18-digit reference number that you’ll need in order to make a payment.
Contact the National Insurance helpline if you do not get a payment request by the end of November.
Ways to pay
Your payment request will give you a deadline to pay HMRC.
How long you need to allow for HMRC to receive your payment depends on how you pay.
You can make same or next day payments:
-
by online or telephone banking (by Faster Payments or CHAPS)
-
at your bank or building society
Allow 3 days for payments to go through with:
- online or telephone banking (by Bacs)
- a cheque through the post
Allow 21 working days to set up a Direct Debit if you have not set one up before.
If the deadline falls on a weekend or bank holiday, make sure your payment reaches HMRC on the last working day before it. You do not need to do this if you’re paying using online or telephone banking Faster Payments.
If you miss the payment deadline
If you miss the deadline HMRC has given you, you might have to pay more to fill gaps in your National Insurance record. It may also affect your entitlement to some benefits.
Contact the National Insurance helpline to find out how much you need to pay.
Confirmation of payment
You do not need to contact HMRC to check your payment has been received.
It will appear on your National Insurance record and your personal tax account. This can take up to 8 weeks.