18 digit number

Keithy13

My son lives abroad but has some savings in the UK. He wants to use these to buy some class 2 years. I have POA so can access the funds. We have already paid for some years using the 18 digit number provided by DWP. My question is can I use this number again for a further payment? Obviously I have looked on the gov.uk website but it's not clear if the number can be reused or if a new one is required. 
Thanks in advance.

oldernonethewiser

No, it is a one time only number. To buy more years you need a new number

pinnks

As your son is abroad, he should not be using the 18-digit number.  The reference is "NI number" + "IC" + "surname and as much of the first names as his bank allows in the payment reference box"

p00hsticks

pinnks said:

As your son is abroad, he should not be using the 18-digit number.  The reference is "NI number" + "IC" + "surname and as much of the first names as his bank allows in the payment reference box"

Where did you get that info from - I can't see anything in that reference that would indicate to HMRC what years they are wishing to buy though ? 

Edit: I have now found the source of the info here
Pay Class 2 National Insurance if you do not pay through Self Assessment: Make an online or telephone bank transfer - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)  

however I'd still be concerned that just using that reference is not enough to let HMRC know which years you are wanting to purchase ?

pinnks

Good question and one I have pondered often when explaining the system to folk resident abroad.  If one is paying all available years, then fine but otherwise I have always suggested a call to HMRC before paying to talk about the years and to check things have been allocated correctly.  That said, those paying Class 2 abroad are likely to be paying all possible years.

Having said that, the only thing in the 18-digit reference that says which years are in point is the amount of the total payment, so still open to mis-allocation.

Keithy13

Thanks for your replies.

p00hsticks

pinnks said:

Having said that, the only thing in the 18-digit reference that says which years are in point is the amount of the total payment, so still open to mis-allocation.

I think the (potential) difference is that when obtaining the standard 18 digit reference you have to speak to HMRC (or they send it to you when requesting a payment) and they then make a note at that point of the years to which the payment reference relates. 

pinnks

All a bit Heath Robinson I guess.  But then, the system wasn't really designed for the stresses it is currently under, so those playing catch-up after more than a decade will have to accept those quirks.  It will, of course, all get sorted out in the end but might involve more time and effort on both sides to get things right...

frayedknot

Ah, so the payment amount is embedded in the numbers. It's the 2nd to 7th number, so I suppose you can't use that number if you change your mind on which, or how many years you wish to buy so you have to ring up for a new number. 

(Sorry if that's obvious and been discussed to death but I've just realised)