Government announce immediate relief on council tax and business rates for people affected by flooding
The government has announced that both household and business owners significantly affected by recent flooding will have immediate relief on their council tax and business rates. They will be eligible for 100% relief on their council tax and business rates for at least the next three months.
People affected by flooding should contact the HMRC BPPS service, it supports customers by offering practical help and advice on a wide range of tax problems, providing a fast and sympathetic route to agreeing the best way forward and addressing immediate concerns with solutions.
The service supports customers across all sectors and customer types, from the self-employed through to the largest businesses.
The helpline can support taxpayers by suspending debt collection proceedings, reviewing penalties for missing statutory deadlines and agreeing to defer payments due to short-term cash flow difficulties.
An HMRC spokesperson said: ‘Anyone worried about paying their tax on time should get in touch with HMRC as soon as possible, including via the Business Payment Support Service helpline.
‘We will always work with taxpayers to find the best possible solution, based on their specific financial circumstances, such as spreading tax payments over time.’
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is also providing funding for a business recovery grant which will provide up to £2,500 per eligible small and medium-sized businesses which have suffered severe impacts from the floods that cannot be recovered from insurance.
Farmers will also be able to access grants to cover damage from flooding. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has extended its farming recovery fund. Through this scheme, farmers and land managers who have suffered uninsurable damage to their property will be able to apply for grants of between £500 and £25,000 to cover repair costs.
Taxpayers in need of advice should have their unique taxpayer reference and national insurance number ready before calling the helpline.
BPPS helpline: 0300 200 3835.
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