Business Rates

Businesses and other non-domestic occupiers of property pay non-domestic rates (also known as business rates) to contribute towards the cost of local authority services.

Business Rates are collected by the West Berkshire Council for the Government. The Business Rates collected are paid into a central pool and redistributed to local authorities based on their adult population. West Berkshire's share of redistributed rate income is combined with income from Council Tax, Revenue Support Grant (provided by the Government) and income collected from chargeable services (such as Car Parks, Planning Applications) and is used to fund the public services provided by the Council.

Each non-domestic property has a rateable value which is normally set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).  The rateable value of the property will be shown on the front of your bill.  The rateable value broadly represents the yearly rent the property could have been let for on the open market on a particular date.  All non-domestic properties were re-valued in 1990, 1995, 2000,  2005 & 2010. Visit the Valuation Office Agency - 2010 Revaluation for further information.

In order to calculate the rates payable on a property, the Government determine a multiplier which will apply from 1 April each year.  The multiplier increases each year in line with inflation.  The standard multiplier for the year 2012/13 is 0.458.   For example, a property which has a rateable value of £20,000 on the 2010 list will pay £20,000 x 0.458 = £9,160.00 in the current year. The small business rate multiplier for 2012/13 is 0.450.

The ratepayer (and certain others who have an interest in the property) can appeal against the value shown in the list if they believe it is wrong.  Please visit the Valuation Office Agency for further information.