Plymouth’s self-employed who pay Council Tax are being offered a chance to defer payments for a few months.
Arrangements are underway to help the self-employed spread their Council Tax payments over the latter part of the year if they find themselves in difficulties as a result of their income drying up.
Anyone self-employed and living in Plymouth who is unable to make their council tax payments at the moment, can register online here www.plymouth.gov.uk/counciltax/paymentdeferralselfemployed
Councillor Mark Lowry, Cabinet Member for Finance said: “We are hearing so many stories of people whose income has just stopped almost overnight.
“We know that the government is addressing the situation, but most self-employed will not get any payment from the Government until June.
“We want to help where we can. Anyone who is self-employed - hairdressers, plumbers and electricians, will be able to defer payment and we can recalculate the bills to spread the payments between July and March.
“It’s a few less bills to worry about while people wait for the Government support to come through.”
Because the system will need to be changed, April payment will still be taken today (1 April) for those who pay by direct debit, but the balance can be shared between July and March 2021.
He added: “We know there are still people out there who at the moment can’t afford to pay their bill. My message is simple. We are trying to help as many people as we can. Get in touch.”
If you lose your job, whether you are employed or self-employed you can check your entitlement to benefits www.plymouth.gov.uk/counciltax/counciltaxsupport or www.gov.uk/browse/benefits
There is also the council tax support scheme that can reduce your bill by up to 80 per cent of you are of working age and you find yourself with no income. Apply here www.plymouth.gov.uk/counciltax/counciltaxsupport
This council delivers 700 direct and indirect services to each and every person in Plymouth so it vital that those who can continue to pay carry on.