What information can be obtained through a NI number

[UK345]

Many employers ask for a national insurance number what information can they obtain through this ?

[sumo69]

UK345 said:

Many employers ask for a national insurance number what information can they obtain through this ?

None - its needed to process the payroll.

[anothernameitist]

gives an indication you can work in the UK if you have one too.

Although if the employer were the Government then I think they would hold quite a bit of info

[Eric Mc]

It's a fundamental reference for both National Insurance and Income Tax. Employers are obliged to have this information or otherwise they cannot process your salary correctly.

It isn't something that "many" employers ask for. ALL employers NEED it to comply with the regulations.

[UK345]

In my last job I never got on well with the people and left. I don't want other employers knowing that. I have completely written off that experience and have been looking to move on. Any ways they can find out about my previous job ?

[Eric Mc]

Did your previous employer give you a P45 when you left? They were obliged to do so.

When you joined your new employer, they are legally obliged to ask you for the P45 given to you by the previous employer. This is to ensure that HMRC are properly informed of your change of employments and they can transfer your personal tax allowances correctly to your new employer sop they can apply them properly against your salary from them.

[Ian Geary]

So, you'll have been sent a P45 by your former company.

Go and have a look at it. As well as your NI number, it will have your address, and details of pay and tax for the year so far.

That is about the most your new employer can tell.

I am not aware of any sections on the form, or in HMRC's computer to record you didn't like the last place very much.

hth

Ian

[ChasW]

NI records are used to record contributions to stste pension?

[Eric Mc]

ChasW said:

NI records are used to record contributions to stste pension?

And also used by HMRC as an identifier. When HMRC took over the Contributions Agency they found that the NI number was a better personal identity number than the rather messy tax reference system they used (and still use).

[ChasW]

Interesting topic for pub conversation. How long could you go living legitimately in the UK without ever having any type of official number assigned to you?

[Eric Mc]

Not very.

[ChasW]

Starter for 10
If you were born at home without any NHS involvement you would not get your first number which is NHS until the first time you needed any treatment.

[Butter Face]

I imagine if you never go to hospital, never work, never drive or never leave the country, you could get by without a 'number'.

Sounds pretty boring though.

[ChasW]

Agree, but it shows that you could be "invisible" to the authorities without being an illegal immigrant. I guess you may get a number if you get in trouble with the law.

[TurricanII]

Looks like you get your number before 42 days old, according to the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953

said:

Information concerning birth to be given to registrar within forty–two days.

In the case of every birth it shall be the duty—
(a)of the father and mother of the child; and
(b)in the case of the death or inability of the father and mother, of each other qualified informant,to give to the registrar, before the expiration of a period of forty–two days from the date of the birth, information of the particulars required to be registered concerning the birth

[ChasW]

Yes, but I don't think it becomes a number that follows you about in the system. Typically you'd only need a birth certificate to get a passport.

[mph1977]

ChasW said:

Yes, but I don't think it becomes a number that follows you about in the system. Typically you'd only need a birth certificate to get a passport.

NHSno is generated at birth or registration of birth

NINo is generated at that point but not issued until the run up to your 16th birthday

[anonymous-user]

But you don't need to give your new employer the p45, provided you don't mind emergent code while you 'reapply' for your full code, But I ran several payrolls for major companies and they will do nothing with your p45 except using the tax code, not giving it will make them more suspicious,

[craigjm]

They won't interrogate the p45 anyway it will go straight to a payroll monkey.

[Eric Mc]

If you have a P45, you SHOULD give it to your new employer - otherwise it will cost you in that you will pay too much tax.