What are Business Rates ?
Business Rates (National Non-Domestic Rates) are a tax on business properties. The tax is set by the government and collected by Bradford Council.
The local authority works out the Business Rates bill by multiplying the rateable value of the property by the appropriate multiplier. From 1st April 2005 there are two multipliers; the standard non-domestic rating multiplier and the small business non-domestic rating multiplier. The former is higher to pay for small business rate relief. The Government sets the multipliers for each financial year for the whole of England. The Government normally changes both multipliers every year in line with inflation. By law, the multipliers cannot go up by more than the rate of inflation apart from some minor adjustments to counteract losses from appeals and, in relation to the standard multiplier, to pay for small business rate relief. In the year of a revaluation it is set at a level which will keep the total amount raised in rates after the revaluation the same as before, plus inflation for that year.
Bradford Council carries out the billing, collection and enforcement functions. The Council pays all monies collected in to the National Non-Domestic Rating Pool and this is returned by way of a grant from the government per head of population. The money is used to help pay for the services the council provides.
Business Rates are payable on all non-domestic property. If a property is used both for living accommodation and running a business then both Council Tax and Business Rates will be payable. Generally the occupier is liable to pay the Business Rates, however if a property is empty then the person entitled to the possession of the premises is liable.
The Valuation Officer of the Inland Revenue provides the Council with a rateable value for each property. If you disagree with the rateable value you may be able to appeal to the Valuation Officer.
Reliefs and Exemption are available in certain circumstances.
New/altered properties are liable for Business Rates after a completion notice has been served.
