Deadline for voluntary contributions - turnaround time for CF83 form

Tiredbutstillworking

Good afternoon
I would be grateful for any advice for the following question:
I am looking to make voluntary contributions to make up UK pension years.
However, I worked abroad for the years that I wish to make payment for and understand I need to fill in a form CF83 in order for HMRC to give me the amount I need to pay and also the 18 digit reference number to make payment.
It is entirely my fault for leaving it so late but when I spoke to HMRC today they informed me the turnaround time for processing CF83 was around 16 weeks which means that I have effectively left it too late.
I just wondered if anyone had encountered this problem and if anyone had any suggestions or ideas as to how I might be able to still make the relevant payments within the deadline of 5 April 2025.
Thanks

molerat

HMRC have stated on their community page that as long as the CF83 is received before 5th April then the clock will pause at that date.

Tiredbutstillworking

Thanks that’s really helpful.  Would you mind sharing a link to the relevant page?

maullwurff

See eg:
https://community.hmrc.gov.uk/customerforums/ni/f8e80ad6-d5c0-ef11-95f5-6045bd0ad9d8
(archived at: https://web.archive.org/web/20250401160917/https://community.hmrc.gov.uk/customerforums/ni/f8e80ad6-d5c0-ef11-95f5-6045bd0ad9d8 )

Posted 3 months ago by HMRC Admin 20 Response 

Hi,
To be advised about paying voluntary National Insurance contributions whilst overseas, the first thing to do is to read our leaflet NI38 ‘Social Security Abroad’.  
If, after reading the NI38, you wish to pay voluntary contributions then complete and return the CF83 application form.  
Both the NI38 and CF83 can be found via:  Social Security abroad: NI38
Providing that we receive your CF83 application form before the 5 April 2025 deadline, then you will not be penalised for any delays before we reply to you.  
You will be given extra time to make any payments that you wish to if we reply close to the April date.
Advice will be in our reply to your CF83 application form to first contact Future Pension Centre before paying any voluntary contributions.  
This is because some shortfalls of voluntary contributions may not improve your pension entitlement – they will be able to advise which tax years it would be best for you to pay.
We are only able to contact you by post – we are not able to contact you electronically.  
If you would like to use a correspondence address then this would be fine.
Thank you.

then half way down the page:

Posted 15 days ago by HMRC Admin 32 Response 

Hi,
If you have already submitted a CF83 form, we’re processing it as quickly as possible. No one who has sent a form on time will be disadvantaged. You will be given time to make your payment once we issue your shortfall amounts regardless of when that is. So yes if you don't hear until 2026, you will still be able to pay for the years 2006 onwards? 
Thank you.