The National Insurance Contributions (NICs) Bill was introduced into Parliament in July.

The draft Bill includes legislation relating to the following main measures:

• Simplifying the collection of NICs paid by the self-employed
• Accelerating the payment to the Exchequer of amounts of NICs in dispute in avoidance cases
• Applying new information powers and penalties to high-risk promoters of avoidance
• A targeted Anti Avoidance Rule to prevent people from circumventing new legislation tackling avoidance involving employment intermediaries and offshore employers

The last measure requires persons to make an accelerated payment of disputed NICs where that disputed liability is associated with schemes subject to a Follower Notice or covered by the DOTAS rules or counteracted under the GAAR.

This will take effect 2 months after the National Insurance Contributions Bill 2014 receives Royal Assent and will apply to all cases where there is an open NICs dispute or an open appeal on or after this date.