Not sure about the wife, I think that is only class 3 if not working, I wrote to Newcastle they then had me fill out NI38 http://search2.hmrc.gov.uk/kb5/hmrc/...xY&formId=3297

Which I mailed in about two months later they later mailed me to say they have accepted my application to pay Class 2 contributions.

They said they will write to me at the time with payment instructions and said I would be able to make up to 6 years payments, I had always assumed the 6 years would have been class 2, I should find out shortly.

Please post back when you find out.

[ETA: I just had a quick scan of the form and it brings back memories - the HMRC site links to this in places where it says click here to find out about making voluntary payments for periods when you are or if you were working abroad - but the wording throughout the form is to do with where you are, or will be, working. That was the original source of ambiguity which I have been unable to get to the bottom of - so I am particularly interested to hear back what they tell you about your past years.]

So I pulled the letter out to check what is says.

"We have accepted your application to pay voluntary Class 2 NICs by yearly payment. We will sent yo a letter shortly after 5 April 2014 to tell you how much to pay for the 2013/14 tax year. You can only pay voluntary Class 2 NICs using the yearly payment method for complete tax years spend abroad."

For my circumstances I currently have 16 qualifying years and I am still 21 years away from retirement, the letter tells me that up to 5 April 2019 I can pay for tax years 2006/07 through 2012/13 without penalty.

So basically £137.80 (2 years slight different amount) a year for the last 7 years is what I can pay if I so choose.

It also says this

"If your employment circumstances change, please let us know immediately."

Cool, thanks for the update.

I have paid total of 19 yrs voluntary payments, both Class 2 and 3.

Were any of the Class II's retrospective (back-paid years)?

I have a quick question, but posting in this thread seems the best option, instead of creating a new one.

My background is that I came to the US in October 2012 on an L1-B visa. I'm living in Houston (well, Cypress strictly), with my USC wife and stepchildren. I had 15 years of continuous employment in the UK before moving, and I've been employed since arriving in the US. I will be getting my green card before my visa expires, and I don't plan to return to the UK any time soon. I've therefore just pulled together a letter to HMRC asking to pay Class 2 voluntary NICs, including arrears from the day I entered the US.

What I haven't been able to find out is what documentation HMRC require as evidence. I plan to attach:
- NI38 form
- Offer of employment letter in USA
- First US payslip
- 2012 W2
- 2013 W2
- Marriage certificate (as evidence that I'm not ordinarily resident in UK)

Am I missing anything obvious?

Thanks for your help.

That sounds very comprehensive. When I applied to pay voluntary NI 27 years ago I think I just filed NI38 and they took my word that I had a job in the US. If you haven't done so already you should file a P85 so HMRC officially knows your non-resident status.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/cnr/p85.pdf

Yes, thanks. I did that last year and the taxman gave me a few thousand back, which was nice.

Yes, they allowed me to back-pay several years of Class II NI payments.