You may remember back in March 2022 that the Conservative Government decided against abolishing or delaying the Health and Social care 1.25% rise in National Insurance Contributions (NIC) which began in April 2022, and instead Rishi Sunak announced an increase to the primary threshold of NIC to help with the cost-of-living crisis.
From July 2022 the primary threshold and lower profits limit (for the self-employed) will increase from £9,880 to £12,570 in line with the personal allowance. Both the NICs threshold and the personal allowance will remain at these levels until April 2026. You may therefore notice a change in your net take-home with the change taking effect this month.
Despite the increase of 1.25%, the higher threshold will mean that you take home more in net salary.
2021/22 | 2022/23 | |
Salary | £20,000 | £20,000 |
Income Tax | £1,486 | £1,486 |
Employee NIC | £1,252 | £1,072 |
Net Salary | £17,262 | £17,442 |
Disclaimer: The figures in the example are purely illustrative and do not constitute a form of tax planning. These figures are based on a standard tax code of 1257L.
Back in April 2022 Class 2 NIC weekly contributions increased from £3.05 to £3.15. From April, self-employed individuals with profits between the Small Profits Threshold (£6,725) and Lower Profits Limit (£9,880 pro-rata to 5th July, £12,570 pro-rata from 6th July) will not pay class 2 NICs, meaning lower-earning self-employed people can keep more of what they earn while continuing to build up National Insurance credits. Note a change in the thresholds taking effect from the 6th July 2022.