Refund of voluntary class 2 National Insurance contributions

Hi there My wife, who is self employed but earning minimal (sub £5k) amounts each year has been paying voluntary class 2 national insurance credits for the past 15 years or so, in order to build up entitlement to the state pension. We have just realised that as she claims child benefit for our three children, she is automatically getting class 3 credits also (until our eldest is 12) which means she didn't actually need to pay the voluntary class two contributions at all, for state pension purposes. Is it possibly to apply for a refund of the voluntary class 2 contributions for the last 15 years or so on this basis? thanks AD

Hi A D,
If your wife have made an error in paying Voluntary Class 2 NICs she can claim a refund. I would advise her to contact the DWP to check if a refund would affect her benefit entitlement. If a refund is made and she later decides to pay again it may be too late or she may be charged at a higher rate. Your wife can claim a refund by completing form CA8480 and submitting it through her Personal Tax Account if she has one (if not, a Personal Tax account can be setup at gov.uk/personal-tax-account) or by writing to Self-Employment Services, National Insurance Contributions Office, HMRC, BX9 1AN. 
Thank you.

Thank you