`Not fit for purpose´: tax glitch putting pensions of self-employed at risk
(The Guardian Money News)

Accountant says HMRC did nothing to fix national insurance issue in self-assessment systemHundreds of thousands of self-employed could be missing out on future state pensions and benefits because of a glitch in the self-assessment system that makes it `not fit for purpose`, according to a top accountancy body. When an individual files their self-assessment tax return online, a message can appear from HM Revenue & Customs that says they do not need to pay class 2 national insurance contributions. This message appears if the individual has not properly registered as self-employed. If they then fail to make the Nic payments, they lose their full entitlement to a state pension. Continue reading...