Businesses are being reminded that support is available to help cut their business rates bills.
Calderdale Council gives discounts to local businesses who qualify. There are several types of discount and the Council is urging businesses to get in touch to see if they are eligible.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Marcus Thompson, said:
“Times are tough and we know how important every saving is, so we want to give local businesses a helping hand. We are offering a range of support that could reduce their rates bills. But the discounts aren’t granted automatically – eligible businesses need to apply to the Council. We urge you to get in touch if you think you qualify.”
Cabinet Member for Economy, Cllr Peter Caffrey, added:
“We want to make sure businesses can survive and thrive in Calderdale. We also want to encourage new businesses to start up here. These discounts are supporting economic development in our borough, hopefully helping business growth and attracting new investment to the area.”
Discounts available:
Retail relief
This is a two year discount of up to £1,000 in 2014/15 (increased to £1,500 in 2015/16) off your business rates for most types of retail properties, such as shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants with a rateable value of £50,000 or below. If you occupy more than one business property, relief can be claimed on each one.
Reoccupation relief
Businesses moving into premises on or after 1 April 2014 and before 31 March 2016, which have been empty for 12 months or more and were previously used for retail purposes, are eligible for 50% relief on their business rates for 18 months. To qualify, premises must have been empty for 12 months before the date that they become occupied. The property can be used for any purpose, not just retail, and must remain continuously occupied. There is no rateable value limit.
New build empty property exemption
All newly built empty commercial properties completed between 1 October 2013 and 30 September 2016 may be exempt from empty property rates for the first 18 months, up to state aid limits. When building new commercial properties, developers take into account the risk of paying empty property rates if the property does not become fully occupied immediately. This scheme helps to eliminate these concerns.
Other measures have also been put in place, including the option for ratepayers to pay the bills over 12 instalments and an extension of the temporary small business rate relief levels until 1 April 2016.
When the Council awards business rate discounts it is using discretionary powers that the Government has given to local authorities. The Council first started using these powers last year. The Government reimburses the Council for the discounts given.
Business rates are charged on most non-domestic properties, including shops, offices, pubs and factories. You’ll probably have to pay business rates if you use a building or part of a building for non-domestic purposes.
For more information, to find out if your business is eligible for rates relief, or to apply for a discount, visit the Business rates – reliefs and exemptions page on the Council’s website, email business.rates@calderdale.gov.ukor call 01422 393699.