How HMRC's business payment support service is supporting businesses through the downturn
Businesses experiencing temporary financial difficulties and requiring more time to pay their tax bills should contact HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) Business Payment Support Service (BPSS) before their payments become overdue.
What is the BPSS?
The BPSS was launched in November 2008 with the aim of helping viable businesses facing short-term struggles with paying Income Tax, National Insurance, Corporation Tax, VAT or other duties, due to the economic downturn. In order to qualify, a business must be in genuine difficulty, unable to pay its tax on time, but able to pay if given more time.
By calling a dedicated Business Payment Support Line – 0845 302 1435 – businesses can speak to HMRC staff about temporary options tailored to their needs. These include setting up a Time To Pay (TTP) arrangement which allows payments to be re-scheduled over a more affordable timescale. What’s more, BPSS is a fast track service and in most cases businesses can get a decision and have a payment arrangement set up in ten minutes.
The March 2009 Budget extended the scheme to allow viable businesses anticipating making a trading loss in the current tax year, to have the anticipated loss taken into account as part of any rescheduling of their Corporation Tax or Income Tax payments.
How to access the Business Payment Support Service (BPSS)
The BPSS helpline can be contacted on 0845 302 1435 from 8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday and from 8am to 4pm at weekends. For further information see http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/pbr2008/business-payment.htm
Information to have available when you call:
- Your tax reference number
- Details of the tax you are or will have trouble paying
- When you expect to be able to pay the tax
NB: The Business Payment Support Service is for new enquiries only. If you’ve already been contacted by HMRC about an overdue payment you should call the office that contacted you.