Bills for business rates to be sent out, along with a raft of support.
Non-domestic rates bills will be issued to Moray-based businesses this week, along with a commitment to support any companies facing financial hardship as a result of the pandemic lockdown.
Almost 54% of local businesses pay no rates or have their rates reduced by the Small Business Bonus scheme. Businesses operating in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors will pay no rates in 2020-21. This reduction will be automatically deducted from the bills of over 470 qualifying businesses which will soon be issued.
All businesses will benefit from a reduction of 1.6% in the gross rates poundage made by the Scottish Government. This will also be deducted from the bills.
The council collects Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) on behalf of the Scottish Government, and this income is thereafter distributed to local authorities.
Only the first instalment of the annual rates bill is due on June 1st, providing scope for the council to work with firms that are experiencing hardship. Businesses experiencing hardship or expecting difficulty in meeting further instalments should contact the council once the bills are received.
The release of the NDR bills was halted for two months while supporting measures were introduced and £10million in grant payments were made to over 900 businesses in Moray.