Business Rates Advice

Business Rates are a tax on the right to occupy most types of non-domestic (“business”) premises. The law surrounding liability to and the mitigation of this tax is extremely complex and successive Governments have sought fit to tinker with the system to the extent that its complexity can create unintended consequences which require expert help and advice to avoid.

The principal act governing the current rating system is the Local Government Finance Act 1988 (as amended) and rating law and practice has evolved over many years (centuries in fact) through legislative changes, case law and procedural amendment.

Our comprehensive, bespoke, Business Rates mitigation advice services include the following:

• Annual liability checks and calculations
• Rates audit and management
• Occupied rates mitigation
• Empty Rates mitigation
• Reliefs and Exemptions – advice, application and calculation
• Business Support Grants (Coronavirus pandemic provisions) – application and advice
• Check, Challenge and Appeals against assessments and Rateable Value
• Valuations for Rateable Value
• Completion of Statutory Forms of Return
• Government policy and consultations
• Rating law and procedure
• Representation at Valuation Tribunal and Upper Tribunal (subject to agreement)