Rochdale residents may not have to pay council tax until July

Council tax bill

A number of councils across Greater Manchester, including Rochdale, are preparing to defer their tax bill for the 2020/21 year until this summer to help residents struggling with cashflow during the lockdown.

Rochdale, Manchester, Oldham, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford councils have confirmed that they can set up ‘special payment plans’ so that the bill for this year is split over nine months.

If your income has been impacted by coronavirus then you are eligible to get in touch to ask for a payment plan.

Other support is also being offered by all the ten authorities in the region through council tax support, and hardship funds.

Residents who are finding it difficult to make ends meet due to the effect of the pandemic are urged to contact their council as soon as possible to discuss the options available to them.

Julie Murphy, chief finance officer at Rochdale Council said: “We already offer to adjust instalments for anyone contacting us in financial difficulties and will continue to do all we can in light of the coronavirus situation. 

“We will always review accounts if requested and discuss a suitable plan with the customer which could certainly include the option arranging nine instalments from July if required.”

For more information please visit the council website:

• rochdale.gov.uk/council-tax-benefits-and-money/Pages/default.aspx

Charlotte Green, Local Democracy Reporter