ESM3231 - Application of the NICs rules: annual earnings periods example


This example shows how to calculate the overall NICs liability where a deemed payment arises when a partnership is involved.

Mr and Mrs T carry on business in partnership and make up their accounts to 5 April 2001. The partnership’s income is made up as follows:


  • £50,000 is derived from relevant engagements, of which Mr T earns £30,000 and Mrs T earns £20,000
  • £15,000 from contracts that are not relevant engagements

Of the partnership’s expenses of £12,000:


  • only £5,900 would be allowable under the Schedule E rules, of which £2,200 relate to Mr T and £1,700 to Mrs T; and
  • £8,000 can be attributed to the relevant engagements

Partnership accounts year ended 5 April 2001


Income£65,000
Expenses£12,000
Profit£53,000

Allocated Mr T £26,500 and Mrs T £26,500

Calculation of deemed payment on 5 April 2001

  Mr TMrs T
Step OneIncome from relevant engagements30,00020,000
 Deduct  
Step One5% flat rate allowance1,5001,000
Step ThreeEmployment Income expenses2,2001,700
 Total deductions3,7002,700
 Net amount26,30017,300
Step EightSecondary Class 1 NICs on deemed payment2,3831,404
Step NineDeemed payment23,91715,896

Recalculation of partnership's taxable profits


Partnership profit 53,000
Add  
Disallowed expenses* 1,600
Total 54,600
Deduct Secondary Class 1 NICs on deemed
payment +
Deemed payment
3,787
39,813

43,600
Taxable Trading Income profit 11,000

* The disallowed expenses are based on the excess of the Trading Income expenses over the sum of the Employment Income expenses and 5% allowance (8,000-( -(3,900+2,500).

+ The amount of Class 1 NICs due on the deemed payment is calculated using an annual earnings period, irrespective of the fact that the partners are not directors (for calculation method see ESM3232).

Overall position for 2000/01

Mr T will pay tax and Class 1 NICs based on deemed Employment Income of £23,917. He will also pay Class 4 NICs based upon a Trading Income profit of £5,500.

Mrs T will pay tax and Class 1 NICs based upon deemed Employment Income of £15,896. She will also pay Class 4 NICs based upon a Trading Income profit of £5,500.

Both Mr and Mrs T paid Class 2 NICs for 2000/01 of £104 (52 weeks at £2 per week).

Overall NICs liability for 2000/01

 Mr TMrs T
Class 11,9971,194
Class 2104104
Class 47878