Help with your Business Rates
The Council wants to ensure that your business only pays the business rates for which it is liable and that you claim any relief that your business may be entitled to. Examples of these relief’s are:
Charity Relief - this relief is a mandatory relief applicable to an organisation, which is a charity (or trustees of a charity). The relief is set at 80% of the business rates calculated. To qualify for this relief the organisation would normally be a registered charity, so when you make your application please ensure that you quote your registration number, or the reasons why you have chosen not to register.
Voluntary Organisations - this relief is given at the discretion of the council and relates to organisations which are not established or conducted for profit. This relief can extend up to 100% of the business rates calculated. When you make your application please provide a copy of your constitution (memorandum of association) so the Council can consider this. The Council will also require an application form to be completed.
Hardship - where the business is suffering hardship that has been caused through exceptional circumstances the Council can grant discretionary relief up to 100%. When considering an application the Council will require some form of financial statement. Audited accounts would be the most desirable, however if these aren't available other documents such as bank statements or cashbooks etc. may suffice. In the case of an individual, the Council may also require a statement of means. To back up your application the Council will also need to know what exceptional circumstances have led to your current situation and why, in your view, the Council should reduce your liability.
Rural Rate Relief - If your business is in a rural settlment with a population of below 3000 it may qualify for this relief.
The types of business that qualify are -
- The only village general store or post office with a rateable value of up to £7,000
- A food shop with a rateable value of up to £7,000, and
- The only village Pub or the only village petrol station with a rateable value up to £10,500
The premises are entitled to a 50% reduction in the business rates with a further 50% discretionary Relief if an application is successful
If you are a business in a qualifying rural settlement with a rateable value up to £14,000 you can apply for up to 100% Discretionary Relief if your business is considered of benefit to the community
Farm Diversification Relief - This was relief that was given to properties that were formally agricultural and exempt from rating. These properties would have had a rateable value of less than £7,000 and entered rating after 15th August 2001. The scheme ran for five years and finished on 14th August 2006.
The granting of any relief is based on the individual circumstances of the business. If you think you may be eligible please contact the Business Rates Section on 01462 611191 or by email at revenue.team@midbeds.gov.uk.
