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Business Rate Relief - changes from April 2008 (Nov 07)
CHANGES to business rates came into effect from April this year, following the Government's announcement that it intends to change the current package of relief.
Apart from limited exceptions, empty business premises became liable for business rates (Non Domestic Rates) from April 2008. This potential extra cost to business is a change in Government policy, aimed at encouraging businesses to bring premises back into use and thereby help to reduce the need for new development on greenfield land.
The overall change means that rate relief on empty premises will generally only apply for the first three months, with a longer period of six months for industrial premises.
There are also special measures exempting empty properties owned by charities and community amateur sports clubs.
The new measures will include provision for tackling rate avoidance by disregarding changes to the condition of the property and possible changes to other exemptions for empty properties, such as listed buildings.
This change to the way that businesses are taxed stems from a change in Government policy and although bills will be sent out by Harrogate Borough Council all monies are passed to the Government, for redistribution on a national level.
Council staff have written to businesses potentially affected by this change and are available to help inform those affected. You can contact Harrogate Borough Council's Benefits and Revenues section by telephone on 01423 556431, or by e-mail at ben_rev@harrogate.gov.uk
For more information on the Government's plans visit the website at www.communities.gov.uk or email contactus@communities.gov.uk or telephone 020 7944 4400.
Copies of the Government's Business Rates Information Letters can be located at http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/busrats1.htm