Wiltshire Council has confirmed that no resident or business in the county will have to pay council tax or business rates until June 2020, if they are struggling.

Any resident wishing to defer paying their council tax in April and May 2020, instead of the normal scheduled payment break in February and March 2021, can contact the council and this will be arranged.

Similarly, businesses who also wish to defer business rates payments for two months, and not pay in April and May, can also arrange that by contacting the council.

The council will freeze direct debit payments, so people do not need to contact their bank.

People should call 0300 456 0109 or email counciltax@wiltshire.gov.uk to request the deferral – these will be taken at face value and there will be no vetting of anyone wishing to defer payments for April and May, 2020.

Payments will resume in June, 2020, and will be taken over the 10 months from June 2020 to March 2021. Those who pay annually can still do so at http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/benefits-council-tax. Those who make manual payments need to contact the council if they want the April and May payment break.

Working age residents who benefit from the current Council Tax Support Scheme will receive an additional reduction to their bill in line with the government’s hardship fund criteria. Households eligible for the reduction will automatically be re-billed.

The changes are for the Wiltshire Council local authority area.