Significant Reforms for Business Rates from 1 April 2026

- 16/12/2025

Significant Reforms for Business Rates from 1 April 2026

Businesses in Mid Sussex are being made aware that from 1 April 2026, major reforms to the business rates system will take effect across the district following a national revaluation.

Mid Sussex District Council will use updated rateable values, set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), to calculate business rates for local businesses. Every three years, the VOA reviews all non-domestic properties across England and Wales. Businesses can view their current and future rateable value through the VOA’s find a business rates valuation service on GOV.UK.

Additional changes to the business rates system will also be implemented, which Mid Sussex business owners should familiarise themselves with, including:

  • The introduction of new multipliers: Instead of two multipliers (which are used to calculate business rates), there will now be five distinct multipliers, including:
    • Permanent lower rates for Retail, Hospitality & Leisure (RHL) properties, replacing the current RHL Relief.
    • A higher rate for properties with a rateable value of £500,000 or more.
  • Two new support measures will be available to help businesses adjust:
    • Transitional Relief (TR): Limits annual increases for three years to soften sharp rises.
    • Supporting Small Business (SSB): Protects businesses losing Small Business Rate Relief, Rural Rate Relief, or RHL Relief, capping annual increases at £800 or the TR percentage.
  • A temporary 1p multiplier supplement: From 1 April 2026, for one year, the Government will apply a 1p supplement to the business rates multipliers for ratepayers who do not receive Transitional Relief or the Supporting Small Business Relief Scheme.

To find out more about business rates and business support offered by the Council, visit: Business Rates - Mid Sussex District Council

ENDS