Tax Claims – How to locate your National Insurance Number

Why do I need to provide my National Insurance Number?  

When submitting a compensation tax claim, supplying your National Insurance Number enables HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to locate and retrieve your tax records and employment history. This ensures accurate and prompt processing of the compensation tax refund claim. Therefore, possessing a National Insurance Number is crucial for HMRC to effectively locate your record and process your compensation tax refund claim. 

What does it look like?  

A National Insurance Number (NIN) in the United Kingdom typically follows a specific format: two letters, six numbers, and a final letter. The format is usually as follows: AB 12 34 56 C. 

• The first two letters are random alphabetic characters. 
• The following six digits are typically in pairs, forming the numerical part of the NIN. 
• The final letter can be any alphabetic character but is never the letters ‘D’, ‘F’, ‘I’, ‘Q’, ‘U’, ‘V‘ or ‘O’. 

Here’s an example: AB123456C 

 Where can I find it?  

1. Check Old Documents:

Start by checking any old documents, such as payslips, P60s, or tax returns. Your National Insurance Number might be printed on these documents. 

2. Check Correspondence from HMRC:

Look through any correspondence you’ve received from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the UK’s tax authority. They often include your National Insurance Number on letters or documents. 

3. Contact HMRC:

If you’re unable to locate your National Insurance Number using the above methods, contact HMRC directly. You can call the National Insurance helpline and provide them with your personal details to verify your identity. They will assist you in retrieving your National Insurance Number. 

Tel: 0300 200 3500