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Small Business Rate Relief 2007-08

This leaflet will tell you about the small business rate relief scheme which was introduced in Scotland on 1st April 2003. Please read it carefully - it could save you money.

Why did the Scottish Executive introduce this rate relief scheme?

The Scottish Executive is committed to helping small businesses. There is evidence that rates account for a larger proportion of the costs of turnover of small businesses than they do for larger businesses ¹. This scheme aims to target help at genuinely small businesses.

What small business rate relief is available?

All non-domestic subjects in Scotland with a rateable value of £11,500 or less are eligible for a discount of between 5% and 50% on the rate poundage ². Rate relief for subjects with a rateable value of £11,500 or less is set out below.

The exact level of relief therefore depends on

(i) the total rateable value of all subjects occupied by the rate-payer; and
(ii) whether or not the property is eligible for one of the existing non-discretionary rate reliefs ³

If a subject is eligible for an existing non-discretionary relief then it already qualifies for at least a 50% rate relief which is why the small business rate relief is limited to 5% in these circumstances.

Examples illustrating the scheme are given below:

Example 1: Single subject

You occupy a guest house with a rateable value of £5,000. You occupy no other properties in Scotland.

SBRR⁴ available 30%
Rates liability £5,000 x 44.1p x 70% = £1,543.50

Example 2: Cumulative rateable value £11,500 or under - single authority

You occupy a shop with a rateable value of £3,500 and a separate storage facility with a rateable value of £1,500. You occupy no other property in Scotland. The total rateable value of the property occupied is £5,000.

SBRR available 30%
Rates liability shop £3,500 x 44.1p x 70% = £1,080.45
storage £1,500 x 44.1p x 70% = £463.05

Example 3: Cumulative rateable value £11,500 or under - more than one authority

You occupy 2 offices, one in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow with rateable values of £4,000 and £2,000 respectively. You occupy no other property in Scotland. The total rateable value of the property occupied is £6,000.

SBRR available 20%

Rates liability Edinburgh:
£4,000 x 44.1p x 80% = £1,411.20

Glasgow:
£2,000 x 44.1p x 80% = £705.60

Example 4: Single subject and eligible for a non-discretionary relief

You occupy a post office with a rateable value of £4,000 and are currently in receipt of 50 per cent rural rate relief.

Rural rate relief available 50% (non discretionary)

SBRR available 5%

Rates liability
£4,000 x 50% x 44.1p x 95% = £837.90

Example 5: Cumulative rateable value more than £11,500 - individual subjects £11,500 or less

You occupy three shops in Aberdeen with rateable values of £4,000, £4,000 and £5,000 respectively. The cumulative rateable value of the property occupied in Scotland is £13,000 so you fall within the "£8,000 or above banding" in the table above.

SBRR available
Rates liability
£4,000 x 44.1p x 95% = £1,675.80
£4,000 x 44.1p x 95% = £1,675.80
£5,000 x 44.1p x 95% = £2,094.75

Do I need to apply for this rate relief?

Yes - if you are eligible for small business rate relief of 10% or more. All subjects with a rateable value of £11,500 or under will receive 5% rate relief by default. If you are eligible for a higher level of relief you will have to apply to each local authority area in which you have property. Application forms are available from your local authority.

Who pays for the small business rate relief scheme?

The scheme aims to redistribute the rates burden and as such, the additional cost of the scheme will be paid for by a small supplement on the rate poundage for all subjects with a rateable value above £29,000. In 2007-08 this supplement will be 0.3 pence on a rate poundage of 44.1 pence.

The supplement does not include monies currently paid by central or local government, such as non-discretionary and discretionary rate relief. A note outlining how the supplement was calculated can be found on the Scottish Executive website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/local-government/17999/ndrpoundtechnote07-08

Further information?

Specific queries about your individual bill, or a request for an application form, should be addressed to your local authority.

If you have any general enquiries about the small business rate relief scheme, contact:

Email: Business.Rates.Enquiries@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

You can also call the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Business Rates Helpline 0870 333 1600 and then ask for the name of the nearest professionally recognised rating surveying firm who will provide you with a free half hour initial consultation.

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