The Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 2001

Application for, and duration and cancellation of, certificates of exception

44.—(1) A self-employed earner who desires to be excepted from liability to pay Class 2 contributions by virtue of section 11(4) of the Act (exception from such liability for Class 2 contributions on grounds of small earnings) shall make an application for that purpose to the Board who, if they grant the application, shall issue to the applicant a certificate of exception.

(2) Any such application and certificate shall be in such form as may for the time being be approved by the Board.

(3) An applicant for, and a holder of, a certificate of exception shall furnish to the Board such information and evidence relating to his earnings as the Board may require on the making of the application and at any subsequent time.

(4) Subject to the conditions specified in paragraph (5), a certificate of exception shall be in force for such period as may be specified in the certificate.

(5) The conditions are that—

(a) if any condition attached to the issue or continuation in force of the certificate is not, or ceases to be, fulfilled, the certificate shall cease to be in force as from the date of such non-fulfilment or cessation, and the holder shall immediately notify the Board to that effect;

(b) the period specified in the certificate may, at the discretion of the Board, commence on such date not earlier than 13 weeks before the date on which the application for the certificate was made as the Board may consider appropriate to the circumstances of the case.

(6) The holder of a certificate of exception—

(a) shall produce the certificate for inspection when called upon to do so by an officer of the Board, and

(b) if he desires that the certificate be cancelled, shall give notice to the Board either in writing or in such form and by such means of electronic communications as are approved, and the certificate shall then cease to have effect from such date as the Board may determine.