>> In Work or Training >> Guide to Rights & Responsibilities >> NI and Income Tax

National Insurance is used to pay for things like state pensions and some benefits. We pay Income Tax to provide money for all our needs, like schools and roads.

Your National Insurance Number:

• Is sent out during Year 11 at school - usually within three months of your 16th birthday. If you haven’t got one after 30 June in that year you should contact the National Insurance Registrations Helpline on 0845 915 7006.
  
• Covers you for national insurance when you earn over £97 each week, but you don't pay anything until you earn more than £110 a week. You pay 11% of anything you earn over £110 each week. You pay an extra 1% on anything you earn over £884 a week. You pay slightly less if you have a company pension scheme.
  
• Your employer will also pay NI contributions on your behalf on earnings over £97 a week.
  

In 2010-11, you must also pay Income Tax:

• If you earn over £125 a week, £6,475 a year.
• You will pay 20p in the pound on anything you earn between £6,475 and £37,400.
• Earnings over £37,400 are taxed at 40p in the pound.

You can get advice from:

HM Revenue & Customs
www.hmrc.gov.uk
T: 0845 302 1479 - National Insurance
T: 0845 300 0627 - Tax

For advice for those aged between 15yrs 9mths and 20yrs who haven't yet got their National Insurance Number
T: 0845 915 7006

Directgov
www.direct.gov.uk/money

The local Pay & Employment Rights Service
www.pers.org.uk