Application for Relief from National Non-Domestic Rate under Retail Rate Relief Business Rates Retail Relief Qualifying Criteria The Government announced in the Autumn Statement on 5 December 2013 that it would provide business rates relief of up to 1,000 to all occupied retail properties with a rateable value of 50,000 or less that are wholly or mainly being used as shops, restaurants, cafes and drinking establishments in each of the years 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. Following the recent Autumn Statement on 3 December 2014 the Chancellor announced an increase in the amount of relief available from 2015-2016, from 1,000 to 1,500. The award of this relief must comply with EU law on State Aid. Further information on State Aid law can be found at https://www.gov.uk/state-aid. Please confirm that your premises falls into one of the categories listed below: Shops (such as: florist, bakers, butchers, grocers, greengrocers, jewellers, stationers, off licence, chemists, newsagents, hardware stores, supermarkets). Charity shops Opticians Post offices Furnishing shops/ display rooms (such as: carpet shops, double glazing, garage doors) Car/ caravan show rooms Second hand car lots Markets Petrol stations Garden centres Art galleries (where art is for sale/hire) Shoe repairs/ key cutting Travel agents Ticket offices e.g. for theatre Dry cleaners Launderettes PC/ TV/ domestic appliance repair Funeral directors Photo processing DVD/ video rentals Tool hire Hair and beauty services Restaurants Takeaways Sandwich shops Coffee shops Pubs Bars 1 of 5
Please note that the following types of uses are not eligible for retail relief; i) Properties that are being used for the provision of the following services to visiting members of the public: Financial services (e.g. banks, building societies, cash points, bureau de change, payday lenders, betting shops, pawn brokers) Other services (e.g. estate agents, letting agents, employment agencies) Medical services (e.g. vets, doctors, osteopaths, chiropractors) Professional Services (e.g. solicitors, accountants, insurance agents/financial advisers, tutors) Post office sorting office ii) Properties that are not reasonably accessible to visiting members of the public 2 of 5
Application for Business Rates Retail Relief for 2014/2015 & 2015/2016 1. Account details for which relief is being claimed Account Reference Liable Party 2. Property for which relief is being claimed Property Address Declaration I confirm that: 1) I am authorised to sign on behalf of (name of undertaking) 2) Please confirm how the property is used: I can confirm that my property is wholly or mainly used for one of the categories listed on page 2. Please specify. 3 of 5
If your property is not used for one of the purposes listed on page 2 but you believe that you may still qualify for the relief please detail below the type of business that is conducted from, the property (Please note the Council may inspect your property to clarify this) State Aid Details This business rate relief is subject to state aid rules. Please answer the following two questions: a) Has your organisation (including any of your group companies) received public assistance under the state aid regulations in the current or in the two preceding years? YES/NO b) Is your organisation (or any of your group companies) due to receive state aid? YES/NO a) Please provide details below of the full amount of state aid that your organisation (or any of your group companies) has already been granted or is due to receive. Should your circumstances change and you no longer meet the qualifying criteria, you must notify us so that the Retail Relief can be reviewed from the date the change occurred. By signing the form you agree that, to the best of your knowledge, the information contained on the form is complete and is not false. Wilfully making a false statement on the application form is an offence and may result in us taking action legal against you. Name... Signature... Position in Organisation... Telephone... Email... Date... Please return this application to: South Oxfordshire District Council, Business Rates, PO Box 162, Erith, Kent, DA8 9DS 4 of 5
Further Advice on Rate Relief Further advice or information can be obtained from the Non-Domestic Rates Section on 0845 300 5526 Please return your completed application form to: Non-Domestic Rates Section, South Oxfordshire District Council, PO Box 162, Erith, DA8 9DS. Alternative formats standard text You can get our [document s name] in alternative formats, upon request. These include large print, Braille, audio cassette, computer disk and email. Please contact the Non Domestic Rate Service. 0845 300 5562 sodc.businessrates@secure.capita.co.uk 5 of 5