25 Feb 2021Over half a million businesses that deferred VAT payments last year can now join the new online VAT Deferral New Payment Scheme to pay it in smaller monthly instalments, HMRC has announced. To take advantage of the new payment scheme businesses will need to have deferred VAT payments between March and June 2020 under the VAT Payment Deferral Scheme. They will be given the option to pay their deferred VAT in equal consecutive monthly instalments from March 2021. Businesses will need to opt-in to the VAT Deferral New Payment Scheme. They can do this via the online service that opened on 23 February and closes on 21 June 2021. Commenting on the scheme, Jesse Norman, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: 'The government has provided a package of support worth over £280 billion during the pandemic to help protect millions of jobs and businesses. 'This now includes the VAT Deferral New Payment Scheme, which will help provide businesses with the breathing space they may need to manage their cashflows in the weeks and months ahead.'