National Insurance number

If you have entered a National Insurance Number for the employee in 'Employee Details' it will be displayed in your Employee List.

A National Insurance Number is the unique reference number used by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to identify an individual’s National Insurance contribution record. It ensures that contributions paid by, and credited to, an individual are put on the right record so that whenever a claim to benefit is made, the correct amount can be paid.

You are required to record an employee's National Insurance Number on form P11 (Deductions Working Sheet) and form P14 (End of Year Summary). Therefore, it is important that you ask employees for their National Insurance Number as soon as possible after they start working for you.

Your employees are required by law to give their National Insurance Number to you. If the National Insurance Number used by HMRC for an employee differs from the one you already hold, ask HMRC National Insurance Contributions Office or DWP to check the number for you. You can do this by using form CA6855, which is available from the Employer's Orderline or any DWP or HMRC office.

For details on how to get an employee's National Insurance Number, please see Employer's Help Book E13 - Day to day payroll.