Business rates (or non-domestic rates) are a tax on business properties, such as shops, offices, factories, pubs and warehouses.
Anyone using a building or part of a building for non-domestic purposes has to pay business rates.
Part of the business rates we collect is used to pay for the services we provide. This is added to revenue from Council Tax payers, government grants and other monies.
How business rates are calculated
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) sets the rateable value of all non-domestic properties in the country. You can find the rateable value of a property on GOV.UK.
The government sets the rate in the pound (also called the multiplier) for the whole of England. We use this to calculate the rates payable for the year before the deduction of any reliefs. The multiplier is effective from 1 April each year.
To calculate your business rates, we multiply the rateable value of your property by the multiplier set by government. We then issue bills and collect business rates on behalf of the government.
Current multiplier rate
The small business multiplier for 2024/25 is 49.9p. This was frozen at this rate as part of the government's 2023 Autumn Statement.
The standard multiplier is 54.6p. This increased from 51.2p in April 2024, by September 2023's CPI figure (6.7%)
You can read our business rates notes for more details, or view business rate information on GOV.UK.
Property valuations
The VOA updates the rateable values of all business and other non-domestic properties (those that are not just private homes) in England and Wales. This is called a revaluation. The last revaluation came into effect on 1 April 2023.
Rateable values are the amount of rent a property could have been let for on a set valuation date. For the 2023 revaluation, that date was 1 April 2021. We use these rateable values to calculate business rates bills.
Revaluations are carried out to reflect changes in the property market. This means that business rates bills are based on more up-to-date details.
Finding your rateable value
You can find the rateable value of any property that is assessed for business rates online. This means that you can get an estimate of what your business rates bill may be.
Find the rateable value of a property.
What to do if you think your rateable value is too high
To tell the VOA you think your rateable value is too high, you need a business rates valuation account on GOV.UK. You must carry on paying your business rates as normal until a decision has been made.
You can check the information the VOA has used and let them know if something is incorrect.
This guide explains how you can check and challenge your business rates valuation.
What to do if your property details need updating
To tell the VOA about changes to your property details (such as floor area sizes and parking) you need a business rates valuation account on GOV.UK.
If the VOA accept your proposed changes they'll update the current and future rateable valuations.
How the COVID-19 pandemic affected future rateable values
The VOA bases most rateable values on an estimate of what it would cost to rent a property for a year, starting on a certain date.
For the 2023 revaluation, that date was 1 April 2021. This was during the pandemic and the rent details the VOA used reflected this.
Contacting the VOA
We're responsible for anything to do with your business rates bill. For example, applying any reliefs you may be entitled to or managing your instalment plan.
The VOA is responsible for the valuation of your property. If you disagree with the valuation of your property you need to contact the VOA.