Business Rates are the means by which businesses who occupy non-domestic properties make a contribution towards the costs of local services. Each non-domestic property has a rateable value, which is set by the Valuation Office (VOA). It produces and maintains a full list of all rateable values which are available on their website at www.voa.gov.uk. The Council then works out the Business Rates for a property by multiplying the rateable value by the 'poundage' which the Government sets from April 1 each year. This will change every year to move in line with inflation.

For the 2008/09 financial year there are two multipliers: the standard multiplier is 46.2p and the small business rates multiplier is 45.8p.

Eligible businesses that qualify with a rateable value of not more than £14,999 will pay at the reduced rate. Business with a rateable value of below this level will qualify for small business rates relief. All other ratepayers are subject to the standard multiplier.

Small Business Rates Relief

SInce 1 April 2005, eligible business with rateable values of below £5,000 qualify for 50% rate relief. This decreases on a sliding scale of 1% for every £100 of rateable value over £5,000 up to £9,999.

The relief is available to ratepayers with either:

• one property
• one main property and other additional properties, providing that the additional properties do not individual rateable values of more than £2,200 and the combined rateable value of all the properties is under £15,000.

You must apply for rate relief each year and must be eligible of 1 April of each year. If your business ceases to be eligible on a day during the year in question, the relief will cease on that day.

For an application form for Small Business Rates Relief see Anglia Revenues

Empty Property Rates Relief

In general there will be no Business Rates to pay for the first three months that a property is empty. After that an empty property rate of fifty percent of the bill that would have been due on the occupied property will be payable. Industrial buildings, listed buildings and small properties with a rateable value of less than £2,200 pay no empty property rates even after the first three months have expired.

Other Rate Relief

Charities are entitled to relief from rates on any non-domestic property which is wholly or mainly used for charitable purposes. Registered Community Amateur Sports Clubs are also entitled to relief from rates on any non-domestic property that is wholly or mainly used for the purposes of that club, or that club and other such registered clubs. In both cases rate relief is given at eight percent of the bill.

Rate relief is available for businesses with rateable values of up to £6,000, where the business is set up on previously agricultural land or buildings. Subject to certain conditions, the business will get a fifty percent reduction in their rates bill for up to five years.

Certain types of businesses in rural villages with a population below 3,000 may qualify for rate relief of fifty percent. Businesses that qualify for this relief are; the sole general store and the sole general post office in the village, provided it has a rateable value of up to £6,000; and the sole pub and sole petrol station, provided it has rateable value of up to £9,000. The Council may decide to give up to one hundred percent rate relief to any other business in a rural village, with a rateable value of up to £12,000, if it is satisfied that the business is to the benefit of the community.

For further information contact Business Rates on 01842 756404 or visit www.mybusinessrates.gov.uk

See Making a payment to the Council for information on how to pay your business rates