Business Rates (England)
We understand that local authorities (including Doncaster) have now started to make payments under the various rates related support schemes.
Businesses that currently pay little or no business rates
This is what the Government has to say.
The government will provide additional Small Business Grant Scheme funding for local authorities to support small businesses that already pay little or no business rates because of small business rate relief (SBBR), rural rate relief (RRR) and tapered relief. This will provide a one-off grant of £10,000 to eligible businesses to help meet their ongoing business costs.
Eligibility
You are eligible if:
- your business is based in England
- you are a business that occupies property
- you are receiving small business rate relief or rural rate relief as of 11 March 2020
How to access the scheme
Eligible businesses will be contacted by their local authority, though some local authorities have decided to operate an applications process.
Any enquiries on eligibility for, or provision of, the grants should be directed to the relevant local authority.
You can find details of your current rates here: https://www.gov.uk/correct-your-business-rates.
If you are in any doubt as to your eligibility please get in touch.
Retail, hospitality and leisure businesses (1) the rates holiday
This is what the Government has to say.
We will introduce a business rates holiday for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England for the 2020 to 2021 tax year.
Eligibility
You are eligible for the business rates holiday if:
- your business is based in England
- your business is in the retail, hospitality and/or leisure sector
Properties that will benefit from the relief will be occupied properties that are wholly or mainly being used:
- as shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues
- for assembly and leisure
- as hotels, guest & boarding premises and self-catering accommodation
How to access the scheme
There is no action for you. This will apply to your next council tax bill in April 2020. However, local authorities may have to reissue your bill to provide this support. They will do this as soon as possible.
You can estimate the business rate charge you will no longer have to pay this year using the business rates calculator.
Further guidance for local authorities is available in the expanded retail discount guidance.
As the scheme is automatic and dealt with by the local authority, all you can do for now is review your latest rate bill to establish the description and relevant rateable value of your property. You can also find details of your current rates here: https://www.gov.uk/correct-your-business-rates.
If you are in any doubt as to your eligibility, please get in touch.
Retail, hospitality and leisure businesses (2) the cash grant
This is what the Government has to say.
The Retail and Hospitality Grant Scheme provides businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a cash grant of up to £25,000 per property.
Businesses in these sectors with a property that has a rateable value of up to £15,000 may be eligible for a grant of £10,000.
Businesses in these sectors with a property that has a rateable value of over £15,000 and less than £51,000 may be eligible for a grant of £25,000.
Eligibility
You are eligible for the grant if:
- your business is based in England
- your business is in the retail, hospitality or leisure sector
- your business has a rateable value of under £51,000
Properties that will benefit from the relief will be occupied properties that are wholly or mainly being used:
- as shops, restaurants, cafes, drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues
- for assembly and leisure
- as hotels, guest and boarding premises and self-catering accommodation
How to access the scheme
Eligible businesses will be contacted by their local authority, though some local authorities have decided to operate an applications process.
Any enquiries on eligibility for, or provision of, the reliefs and grants should be directed to the relevant local authority.
You can find details of your current rates here: https://www.gov.uk/correct-your-business-rates.
Nursery businesses that pay business rates
This is what the Government has to say.
We will introduce a business rates holiday for nurseries in England for the 2020 to 2021 tax year.
Eligibility
You are eligible for the business rates holiday if:
- your business is based in England
Properties that will benefit from the relief will be hereditaments:
- occupied by providers on Ofsted’s Early Years Register
- wholly or mainly used for the provision of the Early Years Foundation Stage
How to access the scheme
There is no action for you. However, local authorities may have to reissue your bill to provide this support. They will do this as soon as possible.
You can find details of your current rates here: https://www.gov.uk/correct-your-business-rates
Additional Help for Business
The Government’s full Covid 19 Support for Business guidance is here:
