Understanding your Business Rates bill

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Understanding your Business Rates bill
Explanatory Notes
Sign up to get your bills by email (e-billing)
Tell us about changes to your business
If you think you may qualify for money off your Business Rates
If you miss your Business Rates payments

A guide to help you understand your Business Rates bill and find out how you can sign up to receive your bills by email (e-billing).

You will receive your annual Business Rates bill at the beginning of March each year.

Understanding your Business Rates bill

This image shows an example Business Rates bill. Each numbered section is explained in detail below.

Business Rates bill example

Business rates payer name(s) – this is the person(s) or company responsible for paying the bill and their correspondence address.
Date the bill was issued – any payments made after this date will not be shown on this bill.
Your Business Rates account number – you’ll need this number if you want to talk to us about your bill or make a payment.
This bill is for - if different to your correspondence address.
Your property reference number – you’ll need this number if you want to check your rateable value with the Valuation Office Agency.
Information about the property description, rateable value and the multipliers
Breakdown of the bill showing the full charge for the property, plus any discounts/reliefs and adjustments made to the bill. You will need to let us know if there is any change in occupiers, or of a discount no longer applies.
The amount you have to pay – after any payments, discounts or reliefs that have been applied
Your instalments – This shows the amounts due and dates of when you need to pay each instalment. If you pay by direct debit the bill will confirm that here and tell you the dates that your instalments will be collected.

Explanatory notes

Sign up to get your bills by email (e-billing)

If you are not signed up to manage your Business Rates online yet, you can set up paperless billing when you register. To do this:

Tell us about changes to your business

If you move address or your circumstances change during the financial year, please let us know straight away and we will adjust your bill.

Tell us something has changed

If you think you may qualify for money off your Business Rates

In some cases, you may be entitled to money off your business rates bill

Apply for a discount

If you miss your Business Rates payments

We want to support you and recognise that at times, it can be difficult for you to pay your bills. Business Rates arrears is a priority debt which means you need to make your payments in full, on or before the dates listed on the front of your bill.

Sort out your Business Rates arrears