Rating
Businesses and other occupiers of non-domestic property contribute towards the costs of local authority services by paying non-domestic rates (often called business rates).
There are four key organisations with responsibilities for local government finance:
- Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and the National Assembly for Wales
responsible for setting the overall government policy on local taxation - Valuation Office Agency
assesses rateable values that are the basis for working out rates bills - Valuation Tribunal Service
an independent, judicial body that has the power to deal with appeals relating to non-domestic rating (and council tax). - Local (billing) Authorities
responsible for working out your rates bill, giving any reliefs that may be due and for collecting the money.
For more information on how local government is financed visit the DCLG website at: www.communities.gov.uk
Additional information on the work of the Valuation Tribunals(VT) is available from local VT offices. You can find them in the phone book visit their website at: www.valuation-tribunals.gov.uk
Rate relief for horse enterprises
In most respects horse enterprises are treated no differently from other types of non-agricultural enterprises for the purpose of determining liability to business rates. The one exception to the general rule is contained in the `Non-Domestic Rating (Stud Farms) (England) Order 2001 (No. 2586), which gives horse stud farms located on agricultural land a flat rate reduction of £3500 in rateable value.
Farmers diversifying away from agriculture and into equestrian businesses were previously entitled to rate relief under the small scale diversification scheme called 'Former Agricultural Premises rate Relief' introduced in August 2001. However, this rate relief is no longer available as the scheme came to an end on the 15 August 2006.
Small scale horse enterprises, whether new or existing, will also be able to benefit from a rate relief scheme for all businesses with a rateable value below £10,000. The Government is introducing this scheme with effect from 1 April 2005.
For specific enquiries regarding rate relief, please contact your local authority.
Page last modified:
19 February, 2007
Page published: 11 November, 2003