1999 No. 171
SOCIAL SECURITY
The Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999
Made 31st March 1999
Coming into operation 20th April 1999

The Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by section 171(1) to (3) of, and paragraphs 7A(2) and 7B of Schedule 1 to, the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 and sections 107 and 165(1) of the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 and of all other powers enabling it in that behalf, hereby makes the following Regulations:
1992 c. 7; paragraphs 7A and 7B were inserted by Articles 53(2) and 54 of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 (S.I.1998/1506 (N.I. 10)) and amended by paragraphs 4 and 5 of Schedule 8 to the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (S.I.1999/671) and are amended by paragraphs 36 and 37 of Schedule 3 to that 1999 Order
1992 c. 8; section 107 was substituted by Article 56 of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 and is amended by paragraph 5 of Schedule 4 to the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999

1 Citation, commencement and interpretation
1 These Regulations may be cited as the Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999 and shall come into operation on 20th April 1999.
2 In these Regulations “the principal Regulations” means the Social Security (Contributions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1979.
S.R. 1979 No. 186; relevant amending regulations are S.R. 1981 No. 30, S.R. 1984 No. 43, S.R. 1987 No. 468, S.R. 1988 No. 204, S.R. 1991 Nos. 310 and 404, S.R. 1992 Nos. 41 and 280, S.R. 1996 Nos. 188 and 433 and S.R. 1999 Nos. 117 and 118

2 Substitution of regulation 47 of the principal Regulations
For regulation 47 of the principal Regulations (direct collection and recovery of earnings-related contributions or Class 1A contributions) there shall be substituted the following regulations—

“47 Direct payment of a Class 1A contribution
Where a Class 1A contribution is not paid to the Collector of Taxes in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 1 to these Regulations it may be paid to the Inland Revenue (“a direct payment Class 1A contribution”) in accordance with regulations 47A to 47K of these Regulations.

47A Due date for a direct payment Class 1A contribution
1 Subject to regulation 47B(2) or 47C(2) of these Regulations, as the case may be, where a direct payment Class 1A contribution may be paid to the Inland Revenue by virtue of regulation 47 of these Regulations, an employer who is liable to pay such a contribution shall pay that contribution to them not later than 19th July in the year immediately following the end of the year in respect of which it is payable.
2 A direct payment Class 1A contribution paid to the Inland Revenue in accordance with paragraph (1) of this regulation shall be shown in a return made to them in accordance with regulation 47J(1) of these Regulations.

47B Provisions relating to a direct payment Class 1A contribution due on succession to business
1 The following provisions of this regulation shall apply in relation to the payment of a direct payment Class 1A contribution where—
(a) there is a change in the employer who is liable to pay emoluments to or for the benefit of all the persons who are employed in a business in respect of their employment in that business;
(b) the employees in question are those who ceased to be employed in that business before the change of employer occurred; and
(c) the amount of the Class 1A contribution is to be included in the return required by regulation 47J(2) of these Regulations.
2 Not later than 14 days after the end of the relevant final income tax month, the employer shall pay to the Inland Revenue—
(a) any Class 1A contribution referred to in paragraph (1) of this regulation in respect of the relevant final year; and
(b) where the relevant final income tax month is the month beginning on 6th April, 6th May or 6th June, any Class 1A contribution referred to in paragraph (1) of this regulation in respect of the year immediately preceding the relevant final year.
3 The employer shall include the amount of any Class 1A contribution which is payable in accordance with paragraph (2)(a) of this regulation in the return required by regulation 47J(1) of these Regulations for the relevant final year, by showing that amount in the particulars required under paragraph (2) of that regulation.
4 In this regulation, unless the context otherwise requires—
(a) “business” includes any trade, concern or undertaking;
(b) “employer” means the employer before the change referred to in paragraph (1)(a) of this regulation;
(c) “relevant final income tax month” means the income tax month in which the employer has made any payments of emoluments which, by reason of the change of employer referred to in paragraph (1)(a) of this regulation were, in respect of the employment of all those persons who were employed by him in that income tax month, the final payments of emoluments to be made by him in the year in which those payments were made; and for these purposes “emoluments” means so much of a person’s remuneration or profits derived from employed earner’s employment as constitutes earnings for the purposes of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992;
(d) “relevant final year” means the year in which the relevant final income tax month occurs.

47C Provisions relating to a direct payment Class 1A contribution due on cessation of business
1 The following provisions of this regulation shall apply in relation to the payment of a direct payment Class 1A contribution where—
(a) an employer ceases to carry on business and upon that cessation no other person becomes liable to pay emoluments to or for the benefit of any employee in respect of his employment in that business;
(b) the employees are all those who were employed in that business at any time in the relevant final year or the year immediately preceding the relevant final year; and
(c) the amount of the Class 1A contribution is to be included in the return required by regulation 47J(3) of these Regulations.
2 Not later than 14 days after the end of the relevant final income tax month, the employer shall pay to the Inland Revenue—
(a) any Class 1A contribution referred to in paragraph (1) of this regulation in respect of the relevant final year; and
(b) where the relevant final income tax month is the month beginning on 6th April, 6th May or 6th June, any Class 1A contribution referred to in paragraph (1) of this regulation in respect of the year immediately preceding the relevant final year.
3 The employer shall include the amount of any Class 1A contribution which is payable in accordance with paragraph (2)(a) of this regulation in the return required by regulation 47J(1) of these Regulations for the relevant final year, by showing that amount in the particulars required under paragraph (3) of that regulation.
4 In this regulation, unless the context otherwise requires—
(a) “business” includes any trade, concern or undertaking;
(b) “employer” means the employer before the cessation of business referred to in paragraph (1)(a) of this regulation;
(c) “relevant final income tax month” means the income tax month in which the employer has made any payments of emoluments which, by reason of the cessation of business referred to in paragraph (1)(a) of this regulation were, in respect of the employment of all those persons who were employed by him in that income tax month, the final payments of emoluments to be made by him in the year in which those payments were made; and for these purposes “emoluments” means so much of a person’s remuneration or profits derived from employed earner’s employment as constitutes earnings for the purposes of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992;
(d) “relevant final year” means the year in which the relevant final income tax month occurs.

47D Employer failing to pay a direct payment Class 1A contribution
1 If—
(a) the employer has paid no amount of a direct payment Class 1A contribution to the Inland Revenue by the date which applies to him under regulation 47A(1), 47B(2) or 47C(2) of these Regulations, as the case may be; and
(b) the Inland Revenue are unaware of the amount, if any, which the employer is liable so to pay,
the Inland Revenue may give notice to the employer requiring him to render, within 14 days, a return in the prescribed form showing the amount of a Class 1A contribution which the employer is liable to pay to them under that regulation in respect of the year in question.
2 A notice may be given by the Inland Revenue under paragraph (1) of this regulation notwithstanding that an amount of a Class 1A contribution has been paid to them by the employer under regulation 47A(1), 47B(2) or 47C(2) of these Regulations, as the case may be, in respect of the year in question, if they are not satisfied that the amount so paid is the full amount which the employer is liable to pay to them for that year; and the provisions of this regulation shall have effect accordingly.

47E Specified amount of a direct payment Class 1A contribution
1 If, following the date which applies to him under regulation 47A(1), 47B(2) or 47C(2) of these Regulations, as the case may be, the employer has paid no amount of a direct payment Class 1A contribution to the Inland Revenue in respect of the year in question and there is reason to believe that the employer is liable so to pay, the Inland Revenue—
(a) in the case of the first year in which the employer is liable to pay such a contribution, upon consideration of any information which has been provided to them by the employer relating to his liability to pay such contributions; or
(b) thereafter, upon consideration of the employer’s record of past payments,
may to the best of their judgement specify the amount of a Class 1A contribution which they consider the employer is liable to pay and give notice to him of that amount.
2 If, on the expiration of the period of 7 days allowed in the notice, the specified amount of a Class 1A contribution or any part thereof is unpaid, the amount so unpaid—
(a) shall be deemed for the purposes of these Regulations to be an amount of a Class 1A contribution which the employer was liable to pay in respect of the year in question in accordance with regulation 47A(1), 47B(2) or 47C(2) of these Regulations, as the case may be; and
(b) may be certified by the Inland Revenue.
3 The provisions of paragraph (2) of this regulation shall not apply if, during the period allowed in the notice—
(a) the employer pays to the Inland Revenue the full amount of a Class 1A contribution which he is liable to pay under regulation 47A(1), 47B(2) or 47C(2) of these Regulations, as the case may be, in respect of the year in question; or
(b) the employer satisfies the Inland Revenue that no amount of such a contribution is due.
4 The production of a certificate such as is mentioned in paragraph (2)(b) of this regulation shall, until the contrary is established, be sufficient evidence that the employer is liable to pay to the Inland Revenue the amount shown in the certificate; and any document purporting to be such a certificate shall be deemed to be such a certificate until the contrary is proved.
5 A notice may be given by the Inland Revenue under paragraph (1) of this regulation notwithstanding that an amount of a Class 1A contribution has been paid to them by the employer under regulation 47A(1), 47B(2) or 47C(2) of these Regulations, as the case may be, in respect of the year in question, if, after seeking the employer’s explanation as to the amount of a Class 1A contribution paid, the Inland Revenue are not satisfied that the amount so paid is the full amount which the employer is liable to pay to them in respect of that year; and the provisions of this regulation shall have effect accordingly, save that paragraph (2) of this regulation shall not apply if, during the period allowed in the said notice, the employer satisfies the Inland Revenue that no further amount of a Class 1A contribution is due in respect of that year.
6 Where, during the period allowed in a notice given by the Inland Revenue under paragraph (1) of this regulation, the employer claims, but does not satisfy them, that the payment of a Class 1A contribution made in respect of the year specified therein is the full amount of a Class 1A contribution which he is liable to pay to the Inland Revenue in respect of that year, the employer may require them to inspect his documents and records as if they had called upon him to produce those documents and records in accordance with Regulation 32(1) of Schedule 1 to these Regulations; and the provisions of that Regulation shall apply in relation to that inspection and the notice given by the Inland Revenue under paragraph (1) of this regulation shall thereafter be disregarded.
Regulation 32(1) was amended by S.R. 1981 No. 30, S.R. 1991 No. 310, S.R. 1992 Nos. 41 and 280 and S.R. 1999 No. 117

47F Interest on an overdue direct payment Class 1A contribution
1 Where an employer has not by the date which applies to him under regulation 47A(1), 47B(2) or 47C(2) of these Regulations, as the case may be, paid a direct payment Class 1A contribution which he is liable to pay, any contribution not so paid shall carry interest at the rate applicable under paragraph 6(3) of Schedule 1 to the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 for the purpose of paragraph 6(3) of Schedule 1 to the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992(a) from the reckonable date until payment.
1992 c. 4
2 Interest payable under this regulation shall be recoverable as if it were a Class 1A contribution in respect of which an employer is liable under regulation 47A(1), 47B(2) or 47C(2) of these Regulations, as the case may be, to pay to the Inland Revenue.
3 A contribution to which paragraph (1) of this regulation applies shall carry interest from the reckonable date even if that date is a non-business day within the meaning of section 92 of the Bills of Exchange Act 1882.
1882 c. 61; section 92 was amended by sections 3(1) and 4(4) of the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971 (c. 80)
4 A certificate of the Inland Revenue that any amount of interest payable under this regulation has not been paid to them, or, to the best of their knowledge and belief, to any person acting on their behalf, shall be sufficient evidence that the employer is liable to pay to them the amount of interest shown on the certificate and that the sum is unpaid and due to be paid; and any document purporting to be such a certificate shall be deemed to be such a certificate until the contrary is proved.
5 For the purposes of this regulation, “the reckonable date” means the day after the date which applies to the employer under regulation 47A(1), 47B(2) or 47C(2) of these Regulations, as the case may be.

47G Payment of interest on a repaid direct payment Class 1A contribution
1 Where—
(a) a direct payment Class 1A contribution paid by an employer to the Inland Revenue in respect of the year ended 5th April 1999 or any subsequent year is repaid to him; and
(b) that repayment is made after the relevant date,
any such repaid contribution shall carry interest at the rate applicable under paragraph 6(3)(a) of Schedule 1 to the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 for the purpose of paragraph 6(3) of Schedule 1 to the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 from the relevant date until the order for the repayment is issued.
2 For the purposes of this regulation, “the relevant date” means the day after the date which applies to the employer under regulation 47A(1), 47B(2) or 47C(2) of these Regulations, as the case may be, or, if later, the date on which that contribution was paid.

47H Repayment of interest paid on a direct payment Class 1A contribution
Where an employer has paid interest on a direct payment Class 1A contribution, that interest shall be repaid to him where—
(a) the interest paid is found not to have been due to be paid, although the contribution in respect of which it was paid was due to be paid;
(b) the Class 1A contribution in respect of which interest was paid is returned or repaid to the employer in accordance with the provisions of regulation 32 or 33A of these Regulations.
Regulation 32 was amended by S.R. 1984 No. 43, S.R. 1987 No. 468, S.R. 1988 No. 204, S.R. 1992 No. 41, S.R. 1996 Nos. 188 and 433 and S.R. 1999 Nos. 117 and 118
Regulation 33A was inserted by S.R. 1992 No. 41 and amended by S.R. 1992 No. 280

47I Remission of interest on a direct payment Class 1A contribution
1 Where interest is payable in accordance with regulation 47F of these Regulations as a result of an official error being made, it shall be remitted for the period from the first relevant date until the second relevant date.
2 For the purposes of this regulation—
(a) “official error” means a mistake made, or something omitted to be done, by an officer of, or person employed in relation to, the Inland Revenue acting as such, where the employer or any person acting on his behalf has not caused, or materially contributed to, that mistake or omission;
(b) “the first relevant date” means the date as defined in regulation 47F(5) of these Regulations or, if later, the date on which the official error occurs;
(c) “the second relevant date” means the date 14 days after the date on which the official error is rectified and the employer is advised in writing of its rectification.

47J Return by employer
1 Where a direct payment Class 1A contribution is payable to the Inland Revenue in accordance with regulation 47A(1) of these Regulations, not later than 105 days after the end of the year the employer shall render to them a return showing—
(a) such particulars as they may require for the identification of the employer and employee;
(b) the year to which the return relates;
(c) the number of cars in respect of which a Class 1A contribution is payable; and
(d) the amount of any Class 1A contribution payable in respect of that year.
2 Where a direct payment Class 1A contribution is payable to the Inland Revenue in accordance with regulation 47B of these Regulations, not later than 14 days after the end of the relevant final income tax month, as defined in that regulation, the employer shall render to them a return showing—
(a) such particulars as they may require for the identification of the employer and employee;
(b) the date on which the change referred to in regulation 47B(1) of these Regulations occurred;
(c) the number of cars in respect of which a Class 1A contribution is payable; and
(d) the amount of a Class 1A contribution payable.
3 Where a direct payment Class 1A contribution is payable to the Inland Revenue in accordance with regulation 47C of these Regulations, not later than 14 days after the end of the relevant final income tax month, as defined in that regulation, the employer shall render to them a return showing—
(a) such particulars as they may require for the identification of the employer;
(b) the date on which the cessation of business referred to in regulation 47C(1) of these Regulations occurred;
(c) the number of cars in respect of which a Class 1A contribution is payable; and
(d) the amount of a Class 1A contribution payable.
4 Where the employer is a body corporate, a return referred to in this regulation shall be signed by the secretary or by a director of the body corporate.
5 If, by the date which applies to him under regulation 47A(1), 47B(2) or 47C(2) of these Regulations, as the case may be, an employer has failed to pay a Class 1A contribution which he is liable so to pay, the Inland Revenue may prepare a certificate showing the total amount of a Class 1A contribution remaining unpaid in respect of the year in question; and to the amount shown in the said certificate the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) of regulation 47F of these Regulations shall with any necessary modifications apply.

47K Penalties for incorrect and incomplete returns
1 Where a person fraudulently or negligently makes an incorrect return of contributions referred to in regulation 47J of these Regulations, the Inland Revenue may, within 6 years after the date of making such a return or at any later time within 3 years of the final determination of the amount of a Class 1A contribution by reference to which the amount of the penalty is to be ascertained, impose a penalty not exceeding the difference between—
(a) the amount payable by him in accordance with the regulations for the year to which the return relates; and
(b) the amount which would have been so payable if the return had been correct.
2 Any person who fails to make a return referred to in paragraph (1) of this regulation by the date which applies to him under regulation 47A(1), 47B(2) or 47C(2) of these Regulations, as the case may be, may be liable—
(a) within 6 years after the date of that failure, to a penalty of the relevant monthly amount for each month (or part of a month) during which the failure continues but excluding any month after the 12th month, or for which a penalty under this paragraph has already been imposed; and
(b) if the failure continues beyond 12 months, to a penalty not exceeding so much of the amount payable by him in accordance with the regulations for the year to which the return relates as remains unpaid at the end of 19th July after the end of that year; and the penalty referred to in this sub-paragraph shall be without prejudice to any penalty under sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph and may be imposed within 6 years after the date of that failure or at any later time within 3 years of the final determination of the amount of a Class 1A contribution by reference to which the amount of the penalty is to be ascertained.
3 For the purposes of paragraph (2) of this regulation, “the relevant monthly amount” in the case of a failure to make a return, where the number of cars in respect of which particulars should be included in the return—
(a) is 10 or less, is £100;
(b) where that number is greater than 10, is £100 for each 10 such cars and an additional £100 where that number is not a multiple of 10.
4 Any penalty imposed in accordance with the provisions of this regulation shall be recoverable as if it were—
(a) a Class 1A contribution which the employer is liable to pay to the Inland Revenue under regulation 47A of these Regulations; or
(b) a Class 1A contribution which the employer is liable to pay to the Inland Revenue in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 1 to these Regulations,
as the case may be.
5 Any penalty imposed in accordance with the provisions of this regulation shall be due and payable at the end of 30 days beginning with the date on which notice of the decision to impose it was issued.
6 The Inland Revenue may, in their discretion, mitigate or remit any penalty imposed in accordance with the provisions of this regulation, or stay or compound any proceedings in respect of it.”

.
Regulation 47 was amended by S.R. 1992 No. 41

3 Substitution of regulation 124 of the principal Regulations
For regulation 124 of the principal Regulations (breach of regulations) there shall be substituted the following regulation—

“124 Breach of regulations
1 Save as respects any requirement of the regulations contained in Case C of Part VIII of these Regulations (married women and widows) and regulation 47K of these Regulations (penalties for incorrect and incomplete returns), if any person contravenes, or fails to comply with, any other requirement of these Regulations he may, for each contravention or failure, be liable to a penalty of £100.
2 A penalty referred to in paragraph (1) of this regulation may be imposed by the Inland Revenue within 6 years after the date of such contravention or failure.
3 Any penalty payable under this regulation shall be recoverable as if it were an earnings-related contribution, a Class 1A contribution, a Class 1B contribution or a Class 2 contribution, as the case may be, payable to the Inland Revenue.
4 The Inland Revenue may, in their discretion, remit any penalty imposed in accordance with the provisions of this regulation, or stay or compound any proceedings in respect of it.”

.
Regulation 124 was amended by S.R. 1991 No. 404; see also Article 7 of the Criminal Justice (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 (S.I.1994/2795 (N.I. 15))

4 Revocations
Regulation 3 of the Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991 and regulation 6 of the Social Security (Contributions) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992 are hereby revoked.
S.R. 1991 No. 404
S.R. 1992 No. 41
Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland on
John O'Neill Assistant Secretary 31st March 1999.

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)
These Regulations further amend the Social Security (Contributions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1979 (“the principal Regulations”).
Regulation 2 substitutes regulation 47 of the principal Regulations with new regulations 47 to 47K to make provision for the payment of a Class 1A contribution direct to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (“the Inland Revenue”) rather than through the provisions of Schedule 1 to the principal Regulations. The new provisions in regulations 47 to 47K provide for, inter alia, the payment of, and accounting to the Inland Revenue of such contributions, the charging of interest and the imposition of penalties in respect of their non-payment or late payment and interest on refunds of such contributions.
Regulation 3 substitutes regulation 124 of the principal Regulations to provide, subject to specified exceptions, a penalty of £100 for each contravention of, or failure to comply with, any provision of the principal Regulations and for the recovery and remission of that penalty by the Inland Revenue.
Regulation 4 contains revocations.
Paragraphs 7A and 7B of Schedule 1 to the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 and section 107 of the Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (“the Act”), the enabling provisions under which these Regulations are made, were inserted or substituted by Articles 53(2), 54 and 56 of the Social Security (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 which were brought into operation, for the purpose only of authorising the making of regulations on 10th March 1999 and for all other purposes on 6th April 1999, by virtue of the Social Security (1998 Order) (Commencement No. 4) Order (Northern Ireland) 1999 (S.R. 1999 No. 102 (C. 13)). The said paragraphs 7A and 7B were amended by paragraphs 4 and 5 of Schedule 8 to the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) (Northern Ireland) Order 1999 (S.I.1999/671) (“the Transfer Order”) which were brought into force, for purposes connected with the making of regulations under or in consequence ofprovisions of the Transfer Order on 26th March 1999 and in so far as they are not already in force on 1st April 1999, by virtue of the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) (1999 Order) (Commencement No. 1 and Transitional Provisions) Order (Northern Ireland) 1999 (S.R. 1999 No. 149 (C. 15)).
These Regulations correspond to provision contained in Regulations made by the Secretary of State for Social Security in relation to Great Britain and accordingly, by virtue of section 149(3) of, and paragraph 10 of Schedule 5 to, the Act, are not subject to the requirement of section 149(2) of the Act for prior reference to the Social Security Advisory Committee.