1A

The amount of any primary Class 1 contribution in respect of the earnings shall be reduced by an amount equal to 1.6 per cent of the relevant part of the earnings (“Amount R1”).

1B

The amount of any secondary Class 1 contribution in respect of the earnings shall be reduced by an amount equal to 3 per cent of the relevant part of the earnings (“Amount R2”).

1C

The aggregate of Amounts R1 and R2 shall be set off—

a

first against the aggregate amount which the secondary contributor is liable to pay in respect of the contributions mentioned in subsections (1A) and (1B); and

b

then (as to any balance) against any amount which the secondary contributor is liable to pay in respect of any primary or secondary Class 1 contribution in respect of earnings—

i

paid to or for the benefit of any other employed earner (whether in contracted-out employment or not), and

ii

in relation to which the secondary contributor is such a contributor;

and in this subsection any reference to a liability to pay an amount in respect of a primary Class 1 contribution is a reference to such a liability under paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to the [1992 c. 7.] Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992.

1D

If—

a

any balance remains, and

b

the secondary contributor makes an application for the purpose to the Inland Revenue,

the Inland Revenue shall, in such manner and at such time (or within such period) as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State, pay to the secondary contributor an amount equal to the remaining balance.

• But such regulations may make provision for the adjustment of an amount that would otherwise be payable under this subsection so as to avoid the payment of trivial or fractional amounts.

1E

If the Inland Revenue pay any amount under subsection (1D) which they are not required to pay, they may recover that amount from the secondary contributor in such manner and at such time (or within such period) as may be prescribed by such regulations.