One month left to appeal backdated business rates
Wednesday 3rd March at 11:08 am
Licensees have less than one month left to contest their business rates over the past five years, the Forum of Private Business (FPB) has warned.
Any pubs who believe they have been charged too much for their rates since the last revaluation in 2005 have until March 31 to appeal.
The FPB estimates that around 160,000 small businesses have already won backdated reductions in their rates since April 2005.
There are two main appeals on business rates — proving they are paying more than neighbouring properties (check at www.voa.gov.uk) or that there has been a material change in circumstances since 2005 like a road closure.
Business owners are also urged to consider an appeal on their new business rates level, due to come in on 1 April 2010.
"Many businesses will see their rates bills soar in the coming months and years but they do have a general right of appeal.
"Following the new rates revaluations they can make one main appeal for the period April 2010 to March 2015," said FPB business rates advisor Andrew Bacon of LeaseholdersUnited.
"However, until 31 March this year they can still appeal against their old valuation if they disagree with it."
Story: Ewen Turney (Morning Advertiser)
