Following the reduction in the Bank of England base rate, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) have confirmed that their interest rates will be reduced accordingly.
Late payment interest will reduce to 7% from 7.25%. Repayment interest – paid on tax repayments – will be reduced to 3.5%.
The change will come into effect from:
-17 February 2025 for quarterly instalment payments.
-25 February 2025 for non-quarterly instalments payments.
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hmrc-late-payment-interest-rates-to-be-revised-after-bank-of-england-lowers-base-rate--2
For Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), the issue of late payments can mean the difference between survival or liquidation. The Department for Business & Trade estimates it costs the economy £11 billion annually, forcing 38 businesses to close their doors every day.
Manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and retailers are being warned that significant regulatory change is coming under the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).