Billing pause for business rate payers in Highland

Around 19,000 business rate payers in Highland will not receive their annual rates bill this April.

The Highland Council recognises the exceptional economic challenges for local business and has therefore decided to pause business rates bills in respect of financial year 2020/21.

The decision to pause will be kept under regular review and is intended to help mitigate the impacts of coronavirus on local businesses and the local economy.

Supporting businesses in this way means that the business community does not have to worry about paying their rates bills for the time being.

This billing pause, together with the package of support available, is intended to provide businesses with sufficient confidence to retain their workforce and to focus on future trading as Government restrictions are kept under regular review.

More information relating to the package of available rates relief and business grants is published on the Council’s website at: https://www.highland.gov.uk/info/2/business_rates/404/business_rates/8

The Council’s Budget Leader, Councillor Alister Mackinnon said:

“These are exceptional times, requiring exceptional measures.  The decision to pause business rates bills has been taken to ensure that local businesses and local jobs are protected while acknowledging the tremendous and selfless offers of support from local businesses for those impacted by coronavirus. 

“We will continue to follow national guidance to deliver for businesses and our communities as best we can in these unprecedented times.”