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National Insurance Contributions — Rates

Class 1 — Employee and employer

Earnings 2023/24 2022/23
Employee Employer Employee Employer
Below Lower Earnings Limit (LEL) Nil Nil Nil Nil
Above LEL to Earnings Threshold (ET) 1 0% 0% 0% 0%
Above ET to Upper Earnings Limit (UEL) 2a, 3, 4, 5, 6 12% 13.8% 12% 13.8%
Above UEL 2b 2% 13.8% 2% 13.8%
  1. Although no NICs are payable, to protect an employee's entitlement to contributory benefits notional Class 1 NIC are deemed to have been paid on earnings between the LEL and the ET.
  2. The rates quoted for the previous tax year applied with effect from 6 November 2022, when they replaced the temporary rates introduced as a precursor to the introduction of the now repealed Health & Social Care Levy applied:
    1. The temporary employee and employer rates applicable before 6 November 2022 were 13.25% and 15.05% respectively.
    2. The temporary employee and employer rates applicable before 6 November 2022 were 3.25% and 15.05% respectively.
  3. Employers are not required to pay Class 1 NIC on earnings up to the Upper Secondary Threshold (UST) for any employee aged under 21. Employers are not required to pay Class 1 NIC on earnings paid up to the Apprentice Upper Secondary Threshold (AUST) to apprentices under the age of 25. As shown in the NIC Threshold tables the UST and AUST will be the same as the UEL in 2023/24.
  4. Employer Class 1 NIC relief is available up to the Veteran’s Upper Secondary Threshold (VUST) to those who employ armed forces veterans. The relief is available for 12 months from the veteran’s first day of civilian employment after leaving the armed services.
  5. Employer Class 1 NIC relief is available for eligible employees working in all Freeports from April 2022 or when a tax site is designated as a Freeport after this date if later. Relief is available up to the Freeport Upper Secondary Threshold (FUST) until at least April 2026 with the intention to extend for up to a further five years to April 2031, subject to a review of the relief. Relief will also be given for employers operating in the proposed new investment zones.
  6. Employees over the State Pension Age do not pay Class 1 NIC, but employers are still required to pay Class 1 NIC on their earnings.

Class 1A and Class 1B — Employer

Earnings or benefits 2023/24 2022/23
Class 1A 1
- Most taxable benefits, including car and fuel benefit charges 13.8% 14.53%
Class 1B 1
- Earnings in a PAYE Settlement Agreement and income tax thereon 13.8% 14.53%
  1. The rate quoted for the previous tax year reflects the pro rata reversal, with effect from 6 November 2022, of the temporary rates introduced as a precursor to the introduction of the now repealed Health & Social Care Levy.

Class 2 and Class 4 — Self employed

Income or profits 2023/24 2022/23
Class 2 1
- Below Small Profits Threshold (SPT) 1 £3.45 £3.15
- Weekly flat rate above SPT £3.45 £3.15
Class 4 
- Below Small Profits Threshold (SPT) 0% 0%
- Between SPT and Lower Profits Limit (LPL) 0% 0%
- Between LPL and Upper Profits Limit (UPL) 2 9% 9.73%
- Above UPL 2 2% 2.73%
  1. Payment of Class 2 NICs is voluntary for those earning less than the Small Profits Threshold.
  2. The rate quoted for the previous tax year reflects the pro rata reversal, with effect from 6 November 2022, of the temporary rates introduced as a precursor to the introduction of the now repealed Health & Social Care Levy.

Class 3 — Voluntary

Contributions 2023/24 2022/23
Class 3
- Weekly flat rate voluntary payment £17.45 £15.85
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