There are circumstances where the amount of business rates you have to pay for your business property may be reduced - get information about:
- Retail discount
- Discretionary and hardship relief
- Relief for charities and non-profit organisations
- Community amateur sports clubs
- Relief for rural businesses
- Acomb business development district
- Temporary occupation relief
- The Flood Support Scheme
Contact the business rates team to:
- find out more information about the types of relief available
- to find out if you qualify
- to check what relief you will receive
Retail discount 2019 to 2021
A new Retail discount scheme was announced in the Budget in October 2018.
The Government has announced a new relief scheme for retail properties that have a rateable value of less than £51,000. Under the scheme, eligible ratepayers will receive a discount of one third of their daily chargeable amount. This relief will take effect between financial years 2019/20 and 2020/21.
We've already started to identify retail businesses which will be eligible for the discount, and will be automatically applying this relief with revised bills to be issued in due course.
See further guidance on the retail business rates discount (GOV.UK).
Note that the award of this relief must comply with EU law on State Aid (GOV.UK).
Discretionary rate relief
Discretionary rate relief is awarded for a maxim period of two years. The awards are made on an annual basis by elected council members within the constraints of the budget available in any one year.
Temporary discretionary rate relief
Following the Governments Autumn Statement in December 2013 the following temporary reliefs have been introduced with effect from 1 April 2014.
Hardship relief
We have discretion to provide relief in special circumstances.
Relief for Charities
Registered charities are entitled to relief from business rates on any 'non-domestic property' that is wholly or mainly used for charitable purposes. Relief is given at 80% of the rate bill. Charities can apply for mandatory relief by writing to us.
You can also apply for discretionary relief from the remaining 20% of your bill.
Charities discretionary top up
Registered charities can request discretionary rate relief for the remaining 20% of their bill.
Non-profit making organisations
Non-profit making organisations (including those not registered as charities) can apply for relief from all or part of the business rates.
Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASC)
Registered community amateur sports clubs can receive 80% rate relief.
To qualify as a CASC your sports club must:
- be open to the whole community
- be run as an amateur club
- be a non-profit making organisation
- im to provide facilities for and encourage people to take part in eligible sport
You can also apply for discretionary relief from the remaining 20% of your bill.
To apply for relief you must first register as a CASC - more information on registering is available on the HM Revenue and Customs website.
Relief for rural businesses
Help is available for certain types of business in qualifying rural settlement areas that have a population of less then 3000 people.
Mandatory relief of 50% is available for these eligible properties:
- the only village post office with a rateable value of up to £8,500
- the only village general store with a rateable value of up to £8,500
- the only cold food shop with a rateable value of up to £8,500
- the only village pub with a rateable value of up to £12,500
- the only village petrol filling station with a rateable value of up to £12,500
Rural top up
Businesses qualifying for mandatory rural rate relief can apply for discretionary top up relief for the remaining 50% of their bill.
Rural discretionary
Any business in a qualifying rural area (see rural mandatory relief above) with a rateable value of up to £16,500 can apply for up to 100% discretionary rate relief. For more information on this scheme, and to make an application, download the rural rate relief application form.
Acomb business development district
The Acomb area of York has been identified as a Business Development District from August 2014. If you are looking to occupy an empty property in Acomb you may be eligible to additional business rate relief.
Temporary occupation between 01 April 2014 and 31 March 2016
The Chancellor will introduce a 50% discount from business rates for new occupants of previously empty retail premises. The discount will last for 18 months. The relief will be available to businesses moving in to properties between 1 April 2014 and 31 March 2016. It is intended that there will be no restrictions based on the type, or the size, of the business which takes the property on – i.e. it will not be required to be a retail business. For more information on this scheme, and to make an application, download the reoccupational relief application form
The Flood Support Scheme
The government are providing one off relief in relation to flooding since 1 December 2013. The Flood Support Scheme document provides guidance should you wish to make a claim. Alternatively please contact us.