Business Rates Calculator
2026/27

What are Business Rates?

Business Rates are a tax commercial property tenants pay to their local council, similar to council tax. Business Rates vary depending on the property and the business. See Business Rates Explained for a more in depth explanation.

What are the upcoming changes to Business Rates?

From 1st April 2026, the new Rateable Values (estimated rental values) will start being used to calculate your business rates bill so check whether yours will change on the VOA website.

The temporary Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief (40% discount) will end on 31st March 2026 and be replaced by lower Universal Business Rate (UBR) multipliers. See table below.

How are business rates calculated?

Business Rates = Rateable Value x UBR multiplier

*eligible businesses can apply for relief which is applied after the above calculation. 

Am I eligible for Small Business Rates Relief?

You qualify if:

• Your property’s rateable value is under £15,000.

• Your business uses only one property (you may still qualify if you have more than one – see next FAQ).

How much you’ll save:

• You’ll pay no business rates if your property’s rateable value is £12,000 or less.

• If your property is valued between £12,001 and £15,000, relief gradually reduces from 100% to 0%.

Examples:

o   £13,500 → 50% off

o   £14,000 → 33% off

Can I benefit from Small Business Rates Relief if I have another property?

As of 1st April 2026 you’ll keep your current relief for 36 months (up from 12 months) after getting a second property.

You may still qualify after that if:

• None of your other properties have a rateable value above £2,899, and

• The total rateable value of all your properties is under £20,000 (£28,000 in London)

Will Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief continue?

No the existing 40% relief for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure businesses will end on 31st March 2026.

Am I eligible for Charitable Relief?

You may qualify if your property is mainly used for charitable purposes and is operated by:

• A charity or its trustees

• A community amateur sports club (CASC)

What you’ll get:

• Up to 80% off your business rates

• Your council may offer discretionary relief to reduce your bill by a further 20%

Can I benefit from more than one type of relief?

No, you can only benefit from one type of relief, but you can choose which relief you go for. 

You should consider that some reliefs are temporary (e.g., retail, hospitality and leisure relief) which is reviewed annually, and some reliefs are permanent such as small business rates relief.

How do I apply for relief?

• Contact your local council

• Check if you’re eligible

• Apply for relief

• See if you qualify for other business rate reductions

Can I pay my business rates in instalments?

Yes you can pay business rates across 10 or 12 monthly instalments, normally due on the 1st of the month.

What happens if I think I am being charged the wrong amount?

If you think your Rateable Value is incorrect then you need to contact the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).

If you think you are being charged the wrong amount or business rates relief is not being applied when it should be, then you need to contact your council’s business rates department.

Are there any other types of business rates relief I can benefit from?

There are more than 10 different types of business rates relief. Read A Quick Guide to Business Rates Relief: What You Might Be Eligible For, for more.

If you are taking on a new property, one that is often missed is Empty Rates Relief.

What happens if my premises are affected by disruption?

You are likely to qualify for a temporary reduction in rates for things like road works, building works or flooding. You should notify the VOA via your business rates valuation account