Introduction :
The national non-domestic rating system was introduced in 1990, to replace locally set general rates. This was accompanied by a revaluation from 1 April 1995, 1 April 2000 and 1 April 2005. The income from all non-domestic rates is paid into a national pool and redistributed between authorities in proportion to their adult population.
This means that areas with relatively few businesses, or where property values are generally low, are not disadvantaged.All businesses benefit from the services that local authorities provide. Some services are of direct benefit to businesses, for instance roads, the police and the fire brigade. Others, such as education and housing, are of indirect but nevertheless a real benefit. Non-domestic rates - or business rates as they are often known - are the way the users of non-domestic property contribute towards the cost of providing those services.
The intention of the links on the right hand side is to give an overview of the rating system, the most frequently asked questions of the non-domestic rates section, and how you can, if necessary, challenge your rateable value. It is intended to give a helpful outline of business rates but it should not be regarded as a complete guide to the law.
Annual Non Domestic Rates Demand Notices relating to 2009/10 were issued on Tuesday 10 March 2009 showing the new charge (including the changes to Empty Property Relief).
If you have any queries regarding you bill or have not received it or want to discuss a payment arrangement please contact the Non Domestic Rates Section on 01773 841444.
Confused by your Business Rates Bill?
Click on the link below for a guide, which will help you understand it better.
Guide to your Business Rates Bill
Deferral of Business Rates liabilities in 2009/10
As you have probably seen in the media the Government proposes an option to defer payment of 60% of the increase in your Business Rates bill for 2009/10 until 2010/11 and 20011/12.
The deferment option will not be available until later in the year and we will be sending you further information about how to claim as soon as it becomes available. In the meantime, the Government have stated that all payments due before the scheme is in place should be paid as and when they are due and in accordance with the instalment schedule shown on your current bill.
Once the Government has laid the regulations we will write to all business setting out the details of the scheme.
