Business Rates Bills for 2017/18

Business Rates Bills for 2017/18

Annual bills for the next financial year will be sent within the next few weeks and there will be some significant changes from last year. The key points are:

Rateable Value & Appeals

Because 2017 is a revaluation year some businesses may see a large increase or reduction in their Rateable Value from their current valuation. In other cases the values will be broadly static. The Rateable Values are assessed by the Valuation Office Agency, an executive function of HRMC. The Valuation Office Agency also manages all appeals against the Rateable Values and any questions regarding should be sent to them, their contact details are as follows:

Contact the Valuation Office. Telephone: 03000 505505

Each year Welsh Government sets the Business Rates Multiplier and informs Local Authorities of their value, any bills that are issued must, by law show the multiplier. The Multiplier has been set at 49.9p for 2017/18

Small Business Rates Relief

Welsh Government has extended the current scheme so that Businesses with a Rateable Value below £6,000 will receive 100% Relief and Businesses whose Rateable Value is £6,000 to £12,000 will receive a reducing tapered relief. Businesses whose Rateable Value is greater than £12,000 will receive no relief. There are qualification criteria, as set down by the Welsh Assembly. The rules are as follows

  • The property must be occupied at the time of claiming relief
  • Public Sector Bodies such as Council’s are not eligible for relief
  • Ratepayers receiving Mandatory Charitable Relief are not eligible for relief
  • Certain classes of properties such as Car Parks, Advertising Rights and Telephone Communication masts are not eligible for relief

For those businesses that already get this relief there is no need to re-apply as the New Year amount will be automatically calculated. However some properties may now be eligible for relief and if you want us to review your case please contact us at:

businessrates@denbighshire.gov.uk / Telephone 01824 706326

 Transitional Relief

Welsh Government has introduced a scheme to help protect small businesses from the impact of the revaluation, limiting the increase in the amounts payable for 2017/18 and future years. The scheme is designed as follows.

  • The limit on increases in the rates bill from 2016/17 to 2017/18 will be capped at 25% above £100
  • Any increase in the rates payable up to £100 will receive no transitional relief
  • The transitional relief is linked to the account as at 1st April 2017 so any change in liability eg a change in occupiers will cease the relief from the date of change.

The qualification criteria is as follows:

  • The Property must have received Small Business Rates Relief on 31st March 2017 (Please see section above on Small Business Rates Relief)
  • The Ratepayer must have had an increase in the annual bill greater than £100
  • The Property must be occupied on 31st March 2017 and 1st April 2017
  • No Transitional Relief is payable on empty properties
  • Any changes in liability ie property becoming empty or change of occupier will cease the relief

There is no need to apply for this relief as the New Year amount will be automatically calculated. However if you believe you should have qualified but have not received any relief and want us to review your case please contact us at:

businessrates@denbighshire.gov.uk / Telephone 01824 706326

High Street Retail Relief

Welsh Government has announced a new targeted relief scheme, designed to help high street retailers where the Business has had a significant increase in their bill. There are two levels of support, based upon the 2017/18 Rateable Value and there are qualification criteria for this relief, further details are shown below

  • Tier 1 Support – A maximum amount of £500 or the total remaining liability (after the application of Small Business Rates Relief and / or Transitional Relief) for 2017/18 where the 1st April 2017 Rateable Value is between £6,001 and £12,000 and the property qualifies for either Small Business Rates Relief and / or Transitional Relief in 2017/18.
  • Tier 2 Support – A maximum amount of £1,500 for 2017/18 where the 1st April 2017 Rateable Value is between £12,001 and £50,000 and the property does not qualify for either Small Business Rates Relief and / or Transitional Relief in 2017/18 and has had an increase in their bill.
  • Currently there is no additional support for Businesses whose Rateable Value is greater than £50,000

The qualification criteria is as follows:

  • To be eligible Properties must be occupied and wholly or mainly used for retail functions as defined by Welsh Government
  • The relief if awarded when combined with any other grant aid cannot be above the EU State aid limits and a state aid disclaimer will need to be completed in all cases
  • The relief is only applicable to Businesses occupying premises on 1st April 2017, any change in occupier will cease the relief and any new occupier will not be entitled to this relief
  • There is a defined list of excluded Business types as defined by Welsh Government

Find out more in the High Street Rates Relief Guidance

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