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Pay Voluntary Class 3 NI Contributions Bill

How to pay a Voluntary Class 3 National Insurance bill? There are several easy ways to make voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions.

PAY CLASS 3 NI CONTRIBUTIONS BILL: Find out how to pay at your bank, by postal methods, by cheque, or by Direct Debit.

You can fill gaps in your National Insurance record by paying Class 3 contributions. This helps to qualify your rights to benefits and the UK State Pension.

There are ways to check your National Insurance record online. But, you need to contact HM Revenue and Customs for information about:

Ways to Pay Voluntary Class 3 NI Contributions

Payment by monthly Direct Debit is the most popular way to pay. If you need to pay by any other method you should contact HMRC.

They send you a payment request every January, April, July, and October. HMRC will give you the deadline when payments must be received by.

Note: Different payment types have different clearance times. Ensure you allow enough time for them to receive the payment before the deadline.

Same Day or Next Day Clearance

Up To 3 Working Days to Clear

Note: The service for paying Class 3 National Insurance at the Post Office has finished.

One-off Payment Methods

Except for Direct Debit, you can also make one-off payments using any of the listed payment methods.

Pay Class 3 Direct Debit Online

Follow these two steps to set up your Direct Debit payment for voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions:

  1. Download the National Insurance Direct Debit form CA5603 on HMRC government website.
  2. Complete the form and send to the address at the bottom of page 4.

They will confirm your Direct Debit has been set up within 21 days. You may see the payment reference 'HMRC NI-DD' on your bank statement.

Direct Debit payments start in May. If you set up your DD payments after May you will need to include any arrears in your first payment.

Pay Class 3 Online: CHAPS, Telephone Banking, Bacs

These types of payments go straight into the bank account at HM Revenue and Customs.

Sort Code: 08 32 20
Account Number: 12001004
Account Name: HMRC NICO Telephone banking

Reference Number Rule

On your bill you will find a reference number. It is 18 alphanumeric characters ending in X. If you are making quarterly payments it will start with 11. For one-off payments it begins with 60. When making your payment you must use this reference number.

Payment Clearance Times

If you are paying online or telephone banking (also known as Faster Payments) they are usually received, by HM Revenue and Customs, the same day or the next day. This also includes Bank Holidays and weekends.

If you pay by CHAPS it will be received the same working day. The payment must be made before your Banks processing cut-off time. Bacs usually take 3 working days to clear.

Note: Contact your bank before making any payment. They will tell you their processing times and transaction limits.

Payments from Overseas

If you are paying from outside the UK, the HMRC account you send the payment to can vary. This is dependent on whether you are paying from a UK or non-UK account.

Account Type: UK
Sort Code: 20 20 48
Account Number: 30944793

Account Type: Non-UK
Account Number (IBAN): GB49BARC20204830944793
Bank Identifier Code (BIC): BARCGB22

For UK and non-UK accounts payments have the same account name of 'GBS Re NICO Receipts HMRC'.

Reference Number Rule

The rule for your reference number is different for a non-UK account. Start with your National Insurance number then add 'IC' and then your surname, finish with the initial from your first name.

An Example: Your name is Jane Western, your NI is XX123456X. Your reference will be XX123456XICWESTERNJ

Employers who are paying for an employee working overseas need to use their 13 character employer number.

HMRC Banking Address

Barclays Bank PLC
1 Churchill Place, London
United Kingdom, E14 5HP

Pay Class 3 NI at Bank or Building Society

Take the payslip that HM Revenue and Customs sent to you with the bill to your local branch. Make all cheques payable to 'HM Revenue and Customs only' then add your Class 3 NI reference number.

Your reference number is on the payslip. If you pay on a weekday, HMRC will take that day as the payment date and not the day they receive it.

Pay Class 3 by Cheque (through the post)

Send your cheque and the payslip that HM Revenue and Customs sent to you with the bill.

HMRC Address to Send Cheque

Make all cheques payable to 'HM Revenue and Customs only' then add your Class 3 National Insurance reference number. Your reference number is written on the payslip.

Do not bend or fold your payslip and cheque. Do not staple or fasten them together in anyway. Send payments to the National Insurance contributions office address:

HM Revenue and Customs
National Insurance Contributions and Employer Office
Benton Park View
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE98 1ZZ

Note: Before making any enquiries allow 3 working days from you posting date. Include a note asking for a receipt if you require one.

What If You Do Not Have HMRC Payslip?

Add a note to your payment method which includes the following information:

  1. Your full name, address, and reachable phone number.
  2. Your Class 3 National Insurance contributions reference number (or National Insurance number).
  3. The amount of Class 3 NI Contributions you are paying and the period you are paying for.
How to Pay Voluntary Class 3 National Insurance Contributions in the United Kingdom