Wiltshire Council confirm businesses can defer business rate payment

To support businesses and residents during the ongoing COVID-19 situation, Wiltshire Council has confirmed that businesses and residents in Wiltshire can defer their business rates and council tax until June 2020 if they're struggling financially.

Businesses who wish to defer paying their business rates payment in April and May 2020, instead of the normal scheduled payment break in February and March 2021, can contact the council and this will be arranged.

Similarly, any resident who wish to defer their council tax payments for two months, and not pay in April and May, can also arrange that by contacting Wiltshire Council.

For anyone wishing to do this, Wiltshire Council will freeze direct debit payments, so people do not need to contact their bank to arrange this deferral.

Businesses and residents should call 0300 456 0109 or email counciltax@wiltshire.gov.uk to request the deferral – these will be taken at face value and there will be no vetting of anyone wishing to defer payments for April and May 2020.

For those who choose to defer, payments will resume in June 2020 and will be taken over the 10 months from June 2020 to March 2021.

Businesses who are eligible for the 12 month Business Rate Holiday (retail, hospitality, leisure sector, nurseries, estate agents, letting agents and bingo halls) do not need to do anything and Wiltshire Council will apply the holiday to your bill.

Cllr Philip Whitehead, Leader of Wiltshire Council said: “We hope during this uncertain and difficult time this will help people and ease the pressure.

“We’re all in this together and I’ve been so impressed by the response of our communities, and we’ll continue to do what we can to provide support and reassurance.”