As a business owner in the UK, you may be responsible for paying business rates, also known as property taxes, on your commercial property. These taxes are calculated based on the rateable value of your property, which is determined by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). If you believe that your business rates are too high, you have the option to challenge and appeal the assessment.
The VOA uses a system called the Rating List to assign a rateable value to each non-domestic property. This rateable value is based on the estimated rental value of the property on a specific date, known as the "material day". The VOA then applies a multiplier, known as the "Uniform Business Rate" (UBR), to the rateable value to calculate the business rates. It is worth noting that rent levels can affect this process because they are the main factor in determining the rateable value of a property.
If you believe that your business rates are too high, you can contact the VOA and request a review of your assessment. The VOA will then consider the evidence you provide and may adjust the assessment and the business rates accordingly.
If you are not satisfied with the VOA's decision, you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal for England or Wales. The Valuation Tribunal is an independent body that reviews appeals of business rates assessments. You must submit an appeal to the Valuation Tribunal within six months of receiving the VOA's decision. The Valuation Tribunal will consider the evidence you provide and may reduce the business rates if it finds that the assessment is too high.
It's important to keep in mind that you may challenge your business rates if you believe that:
The assessed value of the property is too high
The property is not being used for the purpose for which it was assessed
The property has been damaged or destroyed, and the assessment does not reflect this
The assessment is not consistent with comparable properties in the area
It's also worth noting that you can challenge your rates more than once, however, you may only do so after the first appeal has been exhausted and you have new evidence to support your case. The appeal process can be complex and time-consuming, and it's recommended that business owners seek professional advice from a chartered surveyor or another qualified expert to help navigate the process.
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