Plans to simplify the way self-employed people pay National Insurance Contributions (NICs) have been published for consultation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

HMRC is exploring whether it would be more straightforward to collect these contributions alongside Class 4 NICs and income tax through the Self Assessment (SA) process. Self-employed people are required to file an annual SA return and the Class 4 NICs paid by self-employed people are already collected through SA. This aims to reduce the administrative burden on self-employed people.


The self-employed and those who represent them are encouraged to respond to the consultation by 9 October 2013. The consultation document can be read here.