Small Business Rates Relief
From 1 April 2008 the scheme operating is as follows:
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50% relief for most businesses with a rateable value up to £2,000; From 1 April 2010 the rateable value has increased to £2,400
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25% relief for most businesses with a rateable value £2,001 - £6,500; From 1 April 2010 the rateable is between £2401 - £7,801
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100% for post offices (and premises which include a post office) with a rateable value up to £9,000;
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50% for post offices (and premises which include a post office) with a rateable value between £9,001 - £12,000;
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50% for child care premises with a rateable value up to £12,000. (Relief will cease on 31 March 2012);
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25% for retail premises, including petrol filling stations and public houses with a rateable value between £6,501 - £9,000. From 1 April 2010 the rateable value is between £7,801 - £11,000 (Relief will cease on 31 March 2012);
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50% for premises occupied by Credit Unions with a rateable value up to £9,000. (Relief will cease on 31 March 2012).
Applying for the Relief
In the case of a) and b) above the relief will automatically be granted and show on the business rates demand notice. However certain types of business property (ie those based on the use of the premises) must give notice to the local authority that they are eligible for relief before the relief can be granted. Please print off and complete the Small Business Rates Relief Notification form| and send it to Torfaen County Borough Council together with the required documentation. These business properties are:
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Retail premises including petrol filling stations and public houses with RV 7,801 - 11,000 - Must confirm that the business premises are used wholly or mainly for the sale of goods and confirm that they are not receiving this relief already on other retail premises they occupying in Wales.
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Post Offices (RV up to 12,000) - Provide notification of the presence of a post office within the meaning given by section 42(3) of the Postal Services Act 2000.
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Credit Unions (RV up to 9,000) - Provide notification of their registration details under the Credit Unions Act 1979.
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Child Care Premises (RV up to 12,000) - Provide notification of their registration details under Part XA of the Children Act 1989.
Backdating Relief
Relief may be backdated by up to 18 months to the start of the previous financial year so long as businesses notify the local authority by 31 October of their eligibility.
Businesses that become eligible following an alteration of their valuation by the Valuation Office Agency may have their relief backdated to the date when the alteration took effect but they must notify the local authority of their eligibility within 4 months of the local authority being informed of the alteration.
Eligibility for Relief
To qualify for the relief, all business properties must be wholly occupied. However the following types of properties are not eligible for the relief:
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properties occupied by a council, police authority or the Crown;
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properties occupied by charities or by registered clubs or by not-for-profit bodies whose main objects are philanthropic or religious or concerned with education, social welfare, science, literature or the fine arts;
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beach huts;
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advertising rights;
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car parks and car parking spaces;
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sewage works;
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electronic communication stations.