Skip to main content What is small business rate relief?
Definition of small business rate relief
Small business rate relief is a discount on the business rates charged on property in England. It’s available to some businesses if the property in question meets certain criteria. Business rate relief rules are different in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Is your business eligible for small business rate relief?
A business can claim for small business rate relief if:
- the business only uses one property
- the property’s rateable value is less than £15,000
In certain circumstances it's still possible to claim small business rate relief if your business uses more than one property. If you’re unsure whether your business qualifies you should check with your local council.
For properties with a rateable value of £12,001-£15,000 the rate of relief decreases from 100% to 0% on a sliding scale. You can find more information on the HMRC website.
Business rates are not applied to properties with a rateable value of £12,000 or less.
Businesses can usually claim small business rate relief by contacting their local council.
Disclaimer: The content included in this glossary is based on our understanding of tax law at the time of publication. It may be subject to change and may not be applicable to your circumstances, so should not be relied upon. You are responsible for complying with tax law and should seek independent advice if you require further information about the content included in this glossary. If you don't have an accountant, take a look at our directory to find a FreeAgent Practice Partner based in your local area.