Business Rate Relief

The following types of rate relief are available:

 

 

Transitional arrangements phase in the effect of significant changes in liability that have arisen from the 2005 revaluation of non-domestic property. Currently and where appropriate Transitional arrangements will last until 31 March 2009. It is the intention that no Transitional Relief/Surcharge should be awarded during 2009/2010 (last year of 2005 Rating List).

 

There are limits on the percentage by which a bill may increase/decrease each year. Special rules deal with changes in rateable values and the merger or division of existing properties.

If you are entitled to transitional relief or subject to transitional surcharge the calculation will be shown on your bill.

 

For further information please contact the Local Taxation Section on 01748-829100 ext. 231 or http://www.mybusinessrates.gov.uk/

 

 

This is a new relief that came into effect on 1 April 2005. Eligible businesses with rateable values of below £5,000 will get 50% rate relief on their liability. This relief will decrease on a sliding scale by an estimated 1% for every £100 of rateable value over £5,000, up to £10,000.

 

The relief is available to ratepayers with either:

In addition to this relief on liability, eligible businesses with rateable values of between £10,000 and £14,999 (or between £10,000 and £21,499 in London) will have their liability calculated using the small business multiplier.

 

The Small Business Rate Relief scheme is funded by a supplement on the rate bill of those businesses not eligible for the relief. This supplement is built into the standard multiplier.

 

Eligible ratepayers must apply for the relief every five years, inline with the revaluation, next one is 2010. If your business ceases to be eligible on a day during the financial year, the relief will cease on that day.

 

You must notify the Council if you become a ratepayer on an additional property(s) within four weeks.

 

You must submit your application for the relief within six months of the end of the financial year to which it relates - for the 2006/07 financial year, the last date for applications will be 30 September 2007.

 

For further information please contact the Local Taxation Section on 01748-829100 ext.231 or email local.taxation@richmondshire.gov.uk

 

 

You pay no business rates for the first three months that the property is empty and, after that, an empty property rate of 50% of the normal bill. But on industrial buildings, listed buildings and small properties with rateable values of less than £2,200, there are no rates to pay even after the first three months.

 

Empty property relief is available to the owner - in this case the owner is the person entitled to possession of the property in question.

 

 

The government is proposing to reform empty property rate relief, as they are committed to promoting the efficient use of land and property. They hope that modernising empty property rate relief will provide a positive incentive to bring vacant shops, offices, factories and warehouses into use.

 

Proposed Changes with effect from 01 April 2008

For further information please contact the Local Taxation Section on 01748-829100 ext.231 or email local.taxation@richmondshire.gov.uk

 

 

A ratepayer is liable for the full non-domestic rate whether a property is wholly occupied or only partly occupied. Where a property is partly occupied for a short time, the local authority has discretion to award relief in respect of the unoccupied part.

 

For further information please contact the Local Taxation Section on 01748-829100 ext.231 or email local.taxation@richmondshire.gov.uk

 

Charities are entitled to relief from rates on any non-domestic property that is wholly or mainly used for charitable purposes. Relief is given at 80% of the bill. Local Councils have the discretion to give additional relief of up to 20% of the remaining bill.

 

Local Councils also have the discretion to give relief up to 100% for property occupied by certain non-profit making bodies.

 

For further information please contact the Local Taxation Section on 01748-829100 ext.231 or email local.taxation@richmondshire.gov.uk

 

You are entitled to a 50% reduction in the rates bill if you are:

You may also be eligible for further discretionary relief on the remaining bill.

 

For further information please contact the Local Taxation Section on 01748-829100 ext.231 or email local.taxation@richmondshire.gov.uk

 

The local authority has discretion to give relief in special circumstances.

For further information please contact the Local Taxation Section on 01748-829100 ext.231 or email local.taxation@richmondshire.gov.uk