NORTHERN IRELAND

The Finance Minister announced on 19 May an additional package of support measures, including:

  • 100% rates relief for Hospitality, Tourism, Leisure and Retail properties (with the exception of retail food stores over 300m² and off-licences) to 31 March 2021.
  • 100% rates relief for Belfast International, Belfast City and City of Derry airports until 31 March 2021
  • 100% rates relief for Childcare Establishments until 31 March 2021
  • All other businesses, excluding public sector and utilities, to receive an extended 4-month rates holiday (April, May, June & July). This is an increase from the 3-month period previously announced and will result in a 33.3% reduction in liability.

Previously announced measures include:

  • Rates bills to be deferred from April to June
  • Small Business Rates Relief scheme continued into 2020/2021
  • Cash grant schemes:
    • £10,000 for small businesses eligible for Small Business Rates Relief (i.e. excluding companies with 4 or more properties) with a 2015 or 2020 NAV of up to £15,000. The grant scheme now includes industrial properties with a NAV up to £15,000. The cash grant should have been received by now
    • £25,000 for businesses in retail, hospitality, tourism & leisure with a 2015 or 2020 NAV between £15,001 and £51,000.  Registration to apply is open from 20 April 2020 (closing date 20 May 2020).  This is a one-off grant i.e. one per business.  NI retailers lobbying to bring this grant scheme into line with GB, i.e. one grant per property. Further details in link below
  • Hardship Rates Relief scheme due to temporary crisis as a result of exceptional circumstance:
    • Need to prove serious loss of trade and provide accounts and recovery plan
    • Only applicable on rates due, therefore February, March and August onwards

Useful links:

https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/news/murphy-announces-further-ps213m-business-rates-support
https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/news/covid-19-ps100m-emergency-rates-package-businesses
https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/coronavirus-£10000-small-business-support-grant-scheme
https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/coronavirus-£25000-retail-hospitality-tourism-and-leisure-grant

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

  • Local authorities have agreed to defer rates payments due from the most immediately impacted businesses – primarily in the retail, hospitality, leisure, and childcare sectors – for 3 months until end-May. This is a rates deferral and not a reduction in liability.
  • The government announced on 2 May that commercial rates are being waived for a 3-month period beginning on 27 March for businesses that have been forced to close due to public health requirements.
  • Applications for the Restart Fund for micro and small businesses are due to be published on 22 May.  The fund is intended to operate through a system of rebates/waivers of commercial rates payments from 2019. It is expected to cover businesses with less than 50 employees and a turnover of less than €5m who can prove a 25% downturn in turnover. Businesses can apply for a grant equivalent to no more than their 2019 rates bill of between €2,000 to €10,000.

Useful links:

https://www.housing.gov.ie/local-government/covid-19-coronavirus/support-businesses-impacted-covid-19-through-commercial-rates
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/fe8f00-government-outlines-further-measures-to-support-businesses-impacted-/

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