Business rates bills issued

This year’s non-domestic rates bills have been issued to businesses today.

These will be the first bills bearing the new 2017 rateable values. The change to rateable values may cause some concerns about increases in the amount to be paid.

As far as possible, we’ve transferred existing reliefs to the new bills, but that has not always been possible due to the changes in rateable values and relief schemes.

In some cases, because we do not know the status of all of the ratepayer’s properties, we’ve not been able to transfer an award of Small Business Bonus scheme (SBBS) relief. In these cases we have enclosed a SBBS application form for the ratepayer to re-apply.

The Scottish Government has put in place a transitional relief scheme to help reduce the impact of increases in rateable values for business operating in some sectors, notably in hospitality. This is an application-based scheme and any ratepayer who wants to know more about this scheme can do so on our website by clicking this link. Any ratepayer who thinks that they may qualify for a relief award should complete an application form and return it to us.

A spokesman for the council said: “We understand that many ratepayers may have concerns about the impact of the recent revaluation on the amount that they have to pay and the reliefs that are available to them.

“Our contact centre team will answer any questions about any aspect of an individual’s non-domestic rates bill, and will also assist any ratepayer encountering difficulties in making payment.”

Any ratepayer with any questions should call us on 01343 563456 or e-mail at ndr-enq@moray.gov.uk