Revenues and Benefits/Finance

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What is it?

Business rates are paid by most occupiers of business property as a way of contributing towards the cost of local services.
You receive your rates bill from the Council each year, between February and April. It tells you the amount you have to pay in the coming year and how the Council has worked out that amount. You will normally be asked to pay in a number of installments. The bill shows the amount of each instalment and the dates on which you should pay. Although the Council collects business rates, the total amount collected across the country goes into a central rate pool for England. This is managed by the Government, which redistributes the funds to local authorities and other bodies such as police and fire authorities.

How is it worked out?

Each property has a rateable value. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA), an agency of HM Revenue & Customs, draws up and maintains a full list of all rateable values which are available on their website (see related links). The rateable value of your 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. In 2004-2005, this is based on information as at 1 April 1998. For 2005-2006 bills, this is based on information as at 1 April 2003.

You can appeal against your rateable value if you think it is wrong. Further information on the grounds for making an appeal, and on how to make one, can be found on the VOA website at see related links or from your local valuation office. Note there are time restrictions for making appeals, and when they take effect from.

Your bill is affected by "transition". This is a way of phasing in changes to Rates bills following revisions to rateable values. These happen every five years and the next is due to take effect in April 2005. If your rateable value goes down, the gain you have from this is phased in over five years. If your rateable value goes up, then the increase is phased in over the same period.

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If you need further help or information about your bill, please contact the Business Rates Office using our online form or Telephone: (01354) 654321 or Email us at businessrates@fenland.gov.uk. Help us deal with your questions quicker by having your account number ready when you call.