You can only use Direct Debit to make voluntary Class 3 National Insurance contributions for the current tax year (6 April 2024 to 5 April 2025). To set up monthly payments, download and send the Direct Debit form to HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC ). The address is on the form. Allow 21 days to set up a new Direct Debit. HMRC will send you a letter telling you when payments will be taken and how much they will be. Payments appear on your statement as ‘ HMRC NI-DD’. Your payments will usually start in May. You can pay arrears for the current tax year through your first payment if you set up the Direct Debit after May.

Approve a payment through your online bank account

You can pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance directly using your online or mobile bank account. You’ll need: your online banking details the 18-digit reference number shown on your HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) payment request If you do not have an 18-digit reference number you can get help from the National Insurance Helpline . Your payment may be delayed if you use the wrong reference number. When you’re ready to pay: Start your Class 3 National Insurance payment . Select the ‘pay by bank account’ option. You’ll then be directed to sign in to your online or mobile banking account to approve your Class 3 National Insurance payment. The payment is usually instant but sometimes it takes up to 2 hours to show in your account.

Make an online or telephone bank transfer

Make your payment to the following HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC ) bank account, unless you’re paying from an overseas account: sort code - 08 32 20 account number - 12001004 account name - HMRC NIC Receipts Payment reference Use your 18-digit reference number when making your payment. You’ll find it on the payment request sent to you by HMRC . For quarterly payments, your number will begin with 11. For one-off payments, your number will begin with 60. If you do not have an 18-digit reference number you can get help from the National Insurance Helpline . How long it takes Payments by Faster Payments (online or telephone banking) usually reach HMRC on the same or next day, including weekends and bank holidays. CHAPS payments usually reach HMRC the same working day if you pay within your bank’s processing times. Bacs payments usually take 3 working days. Overseas payments Use the following details to make a payment if your account is overseas: Bank Identifier Code ( BIC ) - BARCGB22 account number ( IBAN ) - GB49BARC20204830944793 account name - HMRC NIC Receipts Overseas payment reference Use your National Insurance number followed by ‘IC’, your surname then your initial. If your bank limits you to a certain amount of characters, you should use your National Insurance number followed by ‘IC’ and as much of your surname as possible. Example If your name is Anne Jones, you’d write the reference as QQ123456AICJONESA If you’re an employer paying for an employee living abroad, you should use your 13-character employer number. Banking address HMRC ’s banking address is: Barclays Bank PLC 1 Churchill Place London United Kingdom E14 5HP

Pay online through your personal tax account

You may be able to pay voluntary contributions online through your personal tax account if you’re below State Pension age. Sign in to your personal tax account to check: if you’ll benefit from paying voluntary contributions if you can pay online

At your bank or building society

Pay at a branch by cash or cheque. You’ll need the payslip HM Revenue and Customs ( HMRC ) sent with your payment request. Make your cheque payable to ‘HM Revenue and Customs only’. Write your 18-digit reference number on the back of your cheque. You’ll find the reference number on the payslip provided by HMRC . If you do not have an 18-digit reference number or a payslip you can get help from the National Insurance Helpline . HMRC will accept your payment on the date you make it, and not the date it reaches HMRC ’s account, if you pay between Monday and Friday.

Pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance

Q: By cheque through the post

You can pay by sending a cheque to: HM Revenue and Customs National Insurance Contributions and Employer Office BX5 5BD Allow 3 working days for your payment to reach HMRC . What to include HMRC ’s payment request to you will include a payslip with an 18-digit reference number on it. Send the payslip along with your cheque. Write your 18-digit reference number on the back of the cheque. Do not fold the payslip or cheque, or fasten them together. If you want a receipt, include a note asking for one. If you do not have an HMRC payslip Include a note with: your name, address and phone number how much you’re paying the period you’re paying for your 18-digit reference number or National Insurance number If you do not have an 18-digit reference number you can get help from the National Insurance Helpline .

Overview

You may be able to pay voluntary Class 3 contributions to fill gaps in your National Insurance record to qualify for the State Pension.

You can usually only pay for gaps in your National Insurance record from the past 6 tax years. The tax year ends on 5 April.

For example, you have until 5 April 2030 to make up for gaps for the tax year 2023 to 2024.

You can also choose to set up a regular payment to cover gaps in the current tax year and future tax years.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Before you pay

Check if you’re eligible for National Insurance credits - it could mean you do not have to pay.

You can then check your National Insurance record and pension forecast to find out:

if you have any gaps
if you’re eligible to pay voluntary contributions
if you’ll benefit from paying voluntary contributions
how much it will cost
if you can pay online

Voluntary contributions do not always increase your State Pension.

If you’ve reached State Pension age, contact the Pension Service to find out if you’ll benefit from voluntary contributions.

Pay online

You can pay online by approving a payment through your online bank account.

Pay now

Payment confirmation

You do not need to contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to check your payment has been received.

It will appear in your HMRC account. This can take up to 8 weeks.

How long it takes

You can make same or next day payments:

by approving a payment through your online bank account
by online or telephone banking (by Faster Payments or CHAPS)
at your bank or building society

You can pay within 3 days using online or telephone banking (by Bacs) or by cheque through the post.

Check your bank’s transaction limits and processing times before making a payment.

If 5 April falls on a weekend or bank holiday, make sure your payment reaches HMRC on the last working day before it (unless you’re paying using online or telephone banking (by Faster Payments).

If you want to make regular payments

If you know you’ll have gaps in your National Insurance record in the current tax year, you can make regular payments to cover the shortfall.

If you want to pay quarterly, contact HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). They’ll send you a payment request every July, October, January and April.

If you want to pay monthly, set up a Direct Debit.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance

Overview

Before you pay

Pay online

Payment confirmation

How long it takes

If you want to make regular payments

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Pay voluntary Class 3 National Insurance

Overview

Before you pay

Pay online

Payment confirmation

How long it takes

If you want to make regular payments

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