Loans and National Insurance

Readers may find the following notes useful:

A loan itself is not remuneration for National Insurance purposes. Consequently no Class 1 contributions are due on the granting of a loan, or on the cash equivalent of a low interest or interest free loan.

Class 1a contributions may become due if the loan is waived, written off, or if the employee/director does not pay interest on the loan at an amount equivalent to the "official rate".

An advance of pay is treated as a loan - any tax or National Insurance becomes deductible when the normal pay date arises.

Loans provided to employees who are unable to work due to injury or accident will be subject to a National Insurance charge unless the loan is repayable whatever the outcome of the employee's claim for damages.

These rules apply to directors and other employees.