NIM24187 - Class 4 NICs: structure: annual Class 4 NICs maximum from 6 April 2011: contributors who are employed and self-employed: examples: Case 2 of regulation 100(3): profits do not exceed the UPL

Case 2 of Regulation 100, SSCR 2001

NIM24170 onwards provides guidance on the calculation method used to determine the Class 1, 2 and 4 annual maximum liability for a contributor who is both employed and self-employed during the same tax year. The calculation method shown applies to tax years from 2011/2012 onwards. For guidance on the Class 1, 2 and 4 NICS annual maximum for tax years before 2011/2012 see NIM24120 onwards.

The following example illustrates the Class 1, 2 and 4 NICs annual maximum calculation for a contributor who falls into Case 2 of regulation 100(3). In this example the contributor's profits do not exceed the Upper Profits Limit and he is not required to pay any Class 4 NICs at the additional Class 4 NICs percentage. However, since the amount of Class 1 and 2 NICs that the contributor has paid does not exceed the Class 2 and main percentage Class 4 NICs maximum, the contributor is required to pay some Class 4 NICs at 9% and some Class 4 NICs at a rate of 2%. This example should be read in conjunction with NIM24175 and NIM24177 

The example uses the rates and limits in force during the 2012/2013 tax year.

Example

Mr Rowsell has been self-employed for the whole of the 2012/2013 tax year. His profits for the year are £30,000. He has paid £2,015.55 at the main Class 4 NICs percentage. He has paid 52 Class 2 NICs at £2.65. Mr Rowsell was also employed during the 2012/2013 tax year and has paid £2,500 at the main Class 1 NICs percentage. Mr Rowsell's maximum Class 1, 2 and 4 NICs liability is calculated as follows.

Step 1

Subtract the Lower Profits Limit (LPL) from the Upper Profits Limit (UPL)

£42,475 - £7605 = £34,870

Step 2

Multiply the result of step 1 by 9%

£34,870 x 9% = £3,138.30

Step 3

Add to the result of step 2, 53 times the weekly rate of Class 2 NICs

£3,138.30 + (53 x £2.65) = £3,278.75

Step 4

Subtract from the result of step 3 the aggregate amount of any Class 2 NICs and any primary Class 1 NICs paid at the main primary percentage.

£3,278.75 - £2,637.80 = £640.95

Which Case of regulation 100(3) does Mr Rowsell fall into?

If the result of step 4 is a positive figure but it does not exceed the aggregate of Class 1 NICs payable at the main primary percentage, Class 2 NICs and Class 4 NICs payable at the main Class 4 percentage, the result of step 4 is the maximum amount of Class 4 NICs due at 9%.

On his earnings and profits Mr Rowsell would be liable, and has paid, a total of £4,653.35 in NICs. That is £2,500 in Class 1 NICs, plus £137.80 in Class 2 NICs plus £2,015.55 in Class 4 NICs. The figure produced by step 4 (£640.95) is a positive figure but it does not exceed £4,653.35. Mr Rowsell therefore falls into Case 2 of regulation 100(3). Case 2 provides that the figure of Class 4 produced at step 4 is the maximum amount of Class 4 NICs payable at 9%. It is then necessary to go to step 5 to 9 of regulation 100(3).

Step 5

Multiply the result of step 4 by 100/9

640.95 x 100/9 = £7,121.67

Step 6

Subtract the Lower Profits Limit from the lesser of the Upper Profits Limit and the actual amount of profits for the year.

£30,000 - £7605 = £22,395

Step 7

Subtract the result of step 5 from the result of step 6.

£22,395 - £7,121.67 = £15,273.33

Step 8

Multiply the result of step 7 by 2%

£15,273.33 x 2% = £305.47

Step 9

Multiply by 2% the amount of profits in excess of the Upper Profits Limit

Nil x 2% - there are no profits above the UPL.

Step 10

Add together steps 4, 8 and 9

£640.95 + £305.47 + nil = £946.42

Mr Rowsell's annual Class 4 liability amounts to £946.42. He is due to pay a combination of Class 4 NICs at 9% and 2%. As he has no profits above the UPL he is not liable for Class 4 NICs at the additional percentage. As he has paid less in Class 1, 2 and 4 NICs than the Class 2 and main percentage 4 maximum he is due to pay 2% on some of the profits that fall between the LPL and UPL. As a total of £2,015.55 in Class 4 NICs has been paid Mr Rowsell is due a Class 4 refund.

From 6 April 2024

There is no Class 2 element of the annual maximum calculation.