Firms get more time to pay tax bills

Over 50 businesses in the North having trouble paying their tax bills because of the economic climate have been given more time to pay, it was revealed today.

HM Revenue & Customs said over £1.4m (€1.6m) in business tax had been rescheduled by local businesses under the Business payment Support Service announced in British Chancellor Alastair Darling's pre-budget statement at the end of November.

Other firms facing similar problems were urged by the Treasury to seek help.

HMRC staff on the fast-track service have been busy talking to businesses in the province who need extra time to pay because of the current difficult economic circumstances.

The service enables businesses to speak directly with an advisor to agree an affordable timetable without incurring any extra charges.

Financial Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Timms said: “We are determined to do everything we can support business through these testing times and I would strongly encourage any business anticipating difficulties paying their taxes to call HMRC’s Business Payment Support Service.

“This service is making a real difference for businesses across the country and I am very pleased that HMRC has been able to provide support to over 50 businesses in Northern Ireland.”

Those seeking help amount to around 2% of the 3,500 involving a total of £68.4m (€78.2m) across the nation.