What is Business Rates? Who pays Business Rates? Why have my rates gone up so much this year? How can I get more information? How do I find out about the rateable value of a property? I can't afford to pay my Business Rates I have just moved in/moved out of a business property, what should I do? What do I do if I don't agree with the rateable value? What is Business Rates? Business Rates are essentially a tax on occupation or ownership of properties used for business purposes. The two main elements of the charge are the Rateable Value which is set by the Valuation Office (An Inland Revenue Agency) and the multiplier which is set annually by Central Government for England. Who pays Business Rates? Whoever is the occupier for any given day that the property is shown in the Valuation List is liable for payment of Business Rates. If the property is empty the liability for Empty Rate is the responsibility of the ‘owner’ who is defined in the legislation as ‘the person entitled to possession’. Why have my rates gone up so much this year? Legislation permits year on year increases in the multiplier but these are limited to the inflation rate of the previous September (currently 1.7%).If your liability has changed by more than this amount then it is likely that your property is subject to Transitional Provisions. Put simply they allow changes in rate liability resulting from the five yearly revaluation programme to be phased in over following financial years to prevent substantial increases or decreases in rate liability following a revaluation. This a complex matter so please contact the Business Rates Section for a fuller explanation. How can I get more information? If the above points plus the information given on the Business Rates web page does not answer your query please contact me direct on 01784 446434. I would also recommend a very helpful booklet ‘ Business Rates – A Guide’ has been produced by the Government and can be obtained on request either from the Council or downloaded from the web DTLR | Business Rates - A guide. How do I find out about the rateable value of a property? Either contact the Council Business Rates or Valuation Officer Valuation Office Agency - Rating List on the Internet I can't afford to pay my Business Rates You should contact The Business Rates section as soon as possible. We will try to arrange an alternative payment scheme to spread payments over an extended period. This may still require the issue of a Summons with additional costs to safeguard the Council's position. For more information see the ‘Billing and Recovery’ section on the Business Rates web page Business Rates. I have just moved in/moved out of a business property, what should I do? Please contact the Business Rate Section Business Rates as soon as you have a confirmed date. We will then issue a revised or new rate demand and give details on how this can be paid or refunded if an overpayment has been made. If you have moved in to a property you can download the form and return it to us. What do I do if I don't agree with the rateable value? If you don’t think that the rateable value of your property is correct you should contact the Valuation Officer Valuation Office Agency - Rating List on the Internet . For more information see the section entitled Appealing Against Your Rateable Value on the Business Rates webpage. Graphical Version l
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