Every budget is important, but there was bound to be extra focus on one delivered in the middle of the worst economic slump for three centuries.
And in truth it was a budget of two halves. Short term, Rishi Sunak committed more cash to support businesses - large and small - for the next two years.
But after that it is payback time, for larger and profitable firms anyway. Corporation tax for them will rise from 19% to 25%. The first rise since 1974.
And pay back time for earners, too, in due course. They'll find their income taxes drifting higher after next year - as personal tax thresholds are frozen for four years.
Before that though the economy will bounce back faster than expected and unemployment won't go up as much as feared.
The chancellor's message then to business on rescuing the economy: survive now, pay later.
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