Self-Employed National Insurance Rates

You usually pay 2 types of National Insurance if you are self-employed: 

  • Class 2 if your profits are £6,365 or more a year 
  • Class 4 if your profits are £8,632 or more a year 

You work out your profits by deducting your expenses (external link) from your self-employed income. 

How Much you Pay 

ClassRate for tax year 2019 to 2020
Class 2£3 a week
Class 4
9% on profits between £8,632 and £50,000
2% on profits over £50,000

You can see National Insurance rates for past tax years (external link)

How to Pay 

Most people pay Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance through Self Assessment (external link)

You must tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) when you become self-employed as a sole trader (external link) or partnership (external link)

Special Rules for Specific Jobs 

Some self-employed people do not pay National Insurance through Self Assessment, but may want to pay voluntary contributions (external link). These are: 

  • examiners, moderators, invigilators and people who set exam questions 
  • people who run businesses involving land or property 
  • ministers of religion who do not receive a salary or stipend 
  • people who make investments for themselves or others - but not as a business and without getting a fee or commission