Business Rates - Small Business Rate Relief

This is available at 50% (100% until 31/3/13) for ratepayers occupying single properties with a rateable value up to £6,000, with relief declining in percentage terms on a sliding scale until it is 0% at £12,000.

The relief is only available to ratepayers with either-
1. one property, or
2. one main property and other additional properties providing those additional properties have rateable values less than £2,600.

The rateable value of the property mentioned in (1), or the aggregate rateable value of all properties mentioned in (2), must be under £18,000 outside London or £25,500 within London

How is it funded?

The scheme is funded through a supplement on the rate bills of those businesses not eligible for the relief. The supplement is built into the standard non-domestic rating multiplier. However, ratepayers of eligible business properties with rateable values between £12,000 and £18,000 (£25,500 within London) do not have to contribute towards the relief and will have their bills calculated using the lower small business non-domestic rating multiplier.

When to apply

You may apply as soon as you have a liability to pay business rates. If  a ratepayer ceases to be eligible on a day, the relief will cease on that day. For consideration of backdated relief, an application must be submitted in writing to the local authority within 6 months of the end of the financial year to which it relates, or for new properties, within 6 months of entry into the rating list.

Full details on how to apply for this relief are available from the Business Rates Team on 01730 266551.

Small Business Rates Application Form