DIAL UK News
NEW RATE RELIEFS
Publication date: 27/ 02/ 2006
Under provisions introduced in the Local Government Act 2003 a small business rate relief scheme will benefit businesses (including voluntary organisations which do not get rate relief) that occupy a single property with a rateable value of less than £8,000. Those facing substantial increases in their bills as a result of the five-yearly revaluation of business properties will have increases phased in over a number of years. The effects of revaluation will now be made public six months before the revaluation takes effect, thus allowing organisations to plan ahead for the increase.
The Act also introduced 80% mandatory rate relief for community amateur sports clubs (CASCs), with the local authority able to give discretionary rate relief for the other 20%. Sports clubs which are not eligible for mandatory rate relief remain eligible for up to 100% discretionary relief.
These provisions are in ss.61 and 64 of the Act, which is at:
www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/20030026.htm.
