Business Rates
Business Rate Support
All businesses will now be now able to apply to their local council for the opportunity to defer part of their 2009-10 business rates bills.
The new provisions mean that:
1. All Business Rate payers can apply to their local council to put off 3% of their whole year's 2009/10 business rates bill.
2. Those who accrued a rise in their bill because transitional relief has come to an end can now defer 60 per cent of the increase.
Your local authority should have sent you a letter and an application form already. If you have not received an application form you can download one here.
Tourism South East is advising our members to take advantage of this offer as the smallest savings, however temporary, could make a crucial difference in these challenging times. The sooner you apply the better. DCLG say that an application in August could reduce your bills by October.
Links
Department of Communities and Local Government
Rating Revaluations
The Valuation Office Agency conducts a revaluation every five years. The process is not intended to raise more money but to ensure that the levels are fair.Because Business Rates are based on the rental values of a property the revaluations need to be conducted to compensation for fluctuations in the rental market.The assessment for this revaluation was conducted in 2008 and the new rateable values will be published online on the 30th September 2009.
TSE Advice
Tourism South East is advising our members to appeal against any adverse changes to their rating level. Past evidence has shown that if businesses appeal against decisions that increase the level that they pay, there is a very good chance of success. With Business Rates being a significant outlay for all tourism businesses TSE believes it is worth the time and effort to appeal these decisions.To make a query about your Business Rates you should phone the Valuation Office Agency on 0845 602 1507. They should be able to explain the process of assessing your property. If you do not get an answer that you find satisfactory you can appeal online at the VOA website or make a written appeal.The Valuation Office Agency has a list of frequently asked questions with answers at this link.