NIM24151 - Class 4 NICs: Structure: Annual Class 4 NICs maximum from 6 April 2003: Purpose of retaining a maximum

Regulation 100, SS(C)R 2001

Guidance on the annual Class 4 NICs maximum for all tax years up to and including the 2002-03 tax year is provided at NIM24100 onwards. The following guidance relates solely to tax years beginning 2003-04 onwards. 

Primary legislation contained within SSCBA 92, which sets out the conditions under which liability for NICs arises, imposes a full liability in respect of each employment held by a contributor. The effect of this is that, without some form of limiting factor, a contributor who holds more than one employment, or who is both employed and self-employed, would face a NICs liability on all of their earnings/profits above the appropriate thresholds from each employment held. This would mean that such contributors could pay far more NI that is necessary to secure full benefit entitlement and far more NI than a contributor who earns the same amount but from a single employment. 

Up to 5 April 2024

The annual Class 1 and 2 NICs maximum is the device which limits the amount of Class 1 and Class 2 NICs payable by any earner who holds more than one employment. The annual Class 4 NICs maximum is the device that limits the amount of Class 4 NICs payable in a tax year in addition to any Class 1 and 2 NICs payable. 

Prior to 6 April 2003 all contributors who were employed and self-employed were limited to a universal Class 1, 2 and 4 NICs annual maximum figure. This was based on the same Class 1 and 2 NICs maximum figure, except that a contributor's liability for Class 4 NICs was limited to an amount which, when added to any Class 1 and 2 NICs paid, equalled:

  • the maximum amount of Class 4 NICs payable on profits between the Lower and Upper Profit Limits, plus
  • 53 Class 2 NICs

Although not provided for in legislation the figure against which any Class 1 and 2 NICs were deducted is often referred to as the Class 2 and 4 NICs maximum. 

Where the amount of Class 1 and 2 NICs paid exceeds the Class 2 and 4 NICs maximum no Class 4 NICs are due. The Class 1, 2 and 4 NICs annual maximum could be made up by the payment of Class 1 NICs only, or Class 1 and 2 NICs only or a combination of Class 1, 2 and 4 NICs. The same maximum figure applied whether or not the contributor had earnings in excess of the Upper Earnings Limit and/or profits in excess of the Upper Profits Limit. 

From 6 April 2003 changes to the structure of Class 4 NICs, see NIM24030, included the introduction for the first time of an uncapped Class 4 NICs liability on all profits in excess of the Upper Profits Limit. The introduction of this additional liability, whilst uncapped, does nothing to limit the power of the primary legislation incises where a contributor holds more than one employment. This means that such contributors would, without the retention of a Class 4 NICs maximum, be required to pay Class 4 NICs on all of their profits above the Lower Profits Limit whilst, at the same time, paying Class 1 NICs on all of their earnings above the Primary Threshold. 

For this reason there remains an annual Class 4 NICs maximum for tax years 2003-04 onwards. Retention of a Class 4 NICs annual maximum means that a contributor who is both employed and self-employed is required to pay, broadly, the same amount of NICs as a person who has equivalent earnings but solely from being an employee. 

Although the principle of an annual maximum is retained, the uncapped Class 4 NICs liability on profits above the Upper Earnings Limit means that there can no longer be a universal maximum figure applying to all contributors. Instead all contributors who are both employed and self-employed are provided with an individualised maximum. This individualised maximum is determined by reference to individual profits and the amount of Class 1 and 2 NICs paid. 

Guidance on the Class 4 NICs annual maxima applying from 6 April 2003 can be found at:

  • NIM24152 where the contributor is self-employed only
  • NIM24170 where the contributor is both self-employed and employed

From 6 April 2024

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