The taxman is being kind, and struggling businesses can easily defer payments by Rob Binns This post was last updated in April 2020 COVID-19 UPDATE: On 20th March, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that all VAT payments will be deferred for the financial quarter beginning April 1st. That means that no UK business will have to pay VAT until the end of June 2020, and will have until the end of the financial year to repay any deferred bills. However, businesses still have the option to pay VAT as normal during this period, should they wish. For more information about how to defer your VAT payments during the COVID-19 pandemic, head to the government’s website.