Service Description: The Government has decided to put in place a business rates deferral scheme which will give you the option of spreading the Retail Price Index increase in your 2012-13 bill over three years, to help businesses manage their cash flow during the downturn. You will be able to defer payment of 3.2% of your 2012-13 bill – which is equivalent to 60% of the Retail Price Index increase - until 2013-14 and 2014-15. You will then pay back the total amount deferred over the next two years.
Answer: You can apply at any time until 31st March 2013, as long as you have some of your bill left to pay, but we would encourage you to apply early.