Business Rates 2013/2014. stirling.gov.uk phone text

Transcription

1 Business Rates 2013/2014 stirling.gov.uk phone text

2 Business rates Rates are a tax on business properties. The rates charged for each property is determined by the rateable value placed on it by the Assessor, multiplied by the National Rate Poundage set by the Scottish Government. Although Stirling Council collects the rates, they are paid into the national non-domestic rates pool and redistributed by Central Government to councils in the form of grant to help pay for council services. The Business Rate in Scotland for has been set at 46.2p for every of rateable value. Properties with rateable values over 35,000 are charged a supplement of 0.9p for every of rateable value. Businesses with rateable values up to 18,000 may be due Small Business Bonus Relief. If your business is eligible for this relief but it is not shown on your bill, please contact the Rates Service. Transitional arrangements Since April 2010 there has been no Transitional Relief Scheme. Appeals If you have questions about the valuation of your property, please contact the Assessor for Central Scotland at Hillside House, Laurelhill, Stirling, FK7 9JQ. Tel or assessor@centralscotland-vjb.gov.uk. The rateable value of all non domestic properties in Scotland can now be found on the Scottish Assessors Portal at An appeal against your bill can only be made on the grounds of improper assessment. An appeal needs to be in writing to William Watson, Head of Governance and Resources, Stirling Council, Viewforth, Stirling, FK8 2ET within 30 days of you receiving your bill. You have no right to withhold payment pending the outcome of any appeal. However, if your appeal is successful we may pay you interest on the overpaid rates.

3 How to pay your rates The easiest way to pay is by Direct Debit If you pay by Direct Debit payments will automatically be deducted from your bank account on the fifteenth of each month, May to February. If you choose to pay by any other method, payment is due by the first of the month. If your instalments change, your monthly payments will change automatically. To start paying by this method, please complete the Direct Debit instruction enclosed and return it freepost to us. On-Line You will need the 13 digit reference number from your bill and your debit card details. By phone Using your debit card phone You will need the 13 digit reference number from your bill and your debit card details. By post Payments should be addressed to Rates Service, Stirling Council, Viewforth, Stirling, FK8 2ET. Cheques or postal orders should be crossed and made payable to Stirling Council. Please remember to write your reference number, name and address on the back of your cheque. Over 65% of rate payers pay by Direct Debit

4 Instalments Paying on time You need to pay by the first of every month from 1 May 2013 to 1 February 2014 (unless you pay by Direct Debit). If you have paid fewer than four monthly instalments by 30 September 2013 or you allow your payments to fall two or more months behind after that date, you will automatically lose your right to pay by instalments and will be liable for the full outstanding amount immediately. If you do not wish to pay by instalments, you should make full settlement before 1 October If you fall into arrears, a reminder will be issued requesting payment in full within 14 days. If you fail to pay, the Council will apply for a Court Order. This will add 10% Statutory Penalty to your bill and may lead to Sheriff Officers getting involved in recovering the debt, and may involve additional charges. Problems paying? If you have a problem paying your bill, please get in touch as soon as possible, so that we can help. If you owe multiple debts you can get free help from Advice Services. Tel: moneyadvice@stirling.gov.uk Register free on the Council s on-line Business Directory (See page 6)

5 Reliefs Small Business Bonus Scheme The Scottish Government introduced the new Scottish Small Business Bonus Relief Scheme in April Businesses with rateable values up to 18,000 may be due Small Business Bonus and could have their rates reduced by between 25% and 100%. Companies occupying two or more properties with a combined rateable value of no more than 25,000 could also benefit from this scheme. A maximum of 25% can be awarded in these circumstances (Individual RV s must be less that 18,000). If your business is eligible for this relief and it is not shown on your bill, please contact us. Properties in rural areas Relief may be awarded on certain: Village stores or post offices Small food shops Filling stations Children s nurseries Public houses / small hotels Charities, social welfare organisations and sports clubs Are you eligible for Rates Relief? Phone Relief of 80% of the rates bills is given on properties occupied by charities. The Council has discretion to reduce all or part of the remaining 20% of the bill. Discretionary relief is also available to other social welfare organisations and sports clubs. People with a disability Relief is available on properties used for the care or aftercare of people suffering from a disability. Unoccupied property For the first three months that a property is left empty, no rates are payable, After that, only 10% relief is applicable. Renewable Energy Generation Relief Businesses who are solely concerned with the production of renewable energy may be entitled to up to 100% relief on their rates bills. If your business is eligible for this relief and it is not shown on your bill, please contact us.

6 What to do if you move property Moving in? If you have taken over a new property and the name of the previous ratepayer is still shown on the bill, please tell us your name and date of entry to the property. We will then be able to calculate the charges for each party. Moving out? If you are a tenant in a rented property and are about to give up your tenancy, please contact us so we can sort out your bills. Selling your property? Please get your solicitor to tell us the following: The date of settlement The name of the buyer Address of the buyer Buyer s solicitor s name and address. Enquiries about Rates: Phone: , 9am to 5pm, Mon to Fri (3.30pm on Wed) Minicom: (if you are hard of hearing): Rates@stirling.gov.uk Write to or visit: Rates Service, Stirling Council, Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET Enquires about Rates Relief Phone

7 Business funding Stirling Council, in association with IDOX LTD, provides an online service, making it easier for your business to search and apply for funding. The link is a free search engine that operates through the Council s website www. stirling.gov.uk/funding and goes by the name Stirling4Business. This facility helps local businesses and other organisations to discover the kind of funding support that is available and how to access it. More than 100 million of grant funding in the UK goes unclaimed each year because organisations are unable to obtain basic information, relying instead on expensive bank loans and overdrafts. There are more than 1,500 schemes available at national, regional and local level. Business Directory Has your company registered on Stirling Council s FREE online Business Directory? Inclusion in the on-line directory is free for all businesses located within the Stirling area and registration is free. The directory provides an up to date valuable reference resource for local and national businesses as well as residents of, and visitors to, the Stirling area. Over 60% of businesses in the area are already benefiting from this facility and the directory has the potential to help companies source local goods and services as well as generating new business from outside the Stirling area. Local companies who have not yet registered are encouraged to sign up at Need business funding? Try gov.uk/funding

8 Enquiries about rates: Phone: , 9am to 5pm, Mon to Fri (to 3.30pm on Wed) Write to or visit: Rates Services, Stirling Council, Viewforth, Stirling FK8 2ET Minicom: (If you are hard of hearing) If you need help or this information supplied in an alternative format please call Designed by Stirling Council March 2013 Stirling Council Viewforth Stirling FK8 2ET text: phone: web: