Student Advice Centre

Tax and National Insurance

Applying for a National Insurance Number

Your National Insurance Number is the personal number used to ensure your tax and national insurance contributions are properly recorded against your name. You need one if you intend to work, to claim benefits or to apply for a student loan.

If you were a UK resident when you were 16 you would have had one sent to you automatically. If you were not resident in the UK then you should apply for one if you intend to work.

Apply to JobCentre Plus on the number: 0845 600 0643 (between 8 am and 6 pm Monday to Friday).

You may have to attend an evidence of identity interview or you may be sent a postal application.

Claiming Tax Back

You will have a personal allowance which tells you the threshold over which you start paying income tax.

If you suspect you may have paid too much tax, you may be able to claim it back. If you have been given the wrong tax code you can ask your employer or the tax office (HMRC) to check this.

If you have stopped work and do not intend to work again before the end of the current financial year (5 April), complete form P50 and send it to the tax office with parts 2 and 3 of your P45.

Useful Links

• HMRC
• Directgov