This scheme applies for the financial year 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.
This scheme is the system by which the Government have allowed for the effects that COVID (a possible tone of the list change) would have had on the Rateable Value and therefore ultimately the charge to the ratepayer.
The scheme is administered by the Local Authority and not the Valuation Office (VOA).
The scheme is a reduction in liability to pay and not a grant.
Includes: Businesses
Properties not eligible for Relief Schemes other than transitional relief and SBR over £12K RV
Properties occupied and liable for Business Rates on 1 April 2021
Properties must be occupied
There must be a business rates liability for the financial year
Excludes all those: Businesses
Eligible for Extended Retail Relief Scheme (ERD)
Eligible for Nursery Relief
Not awarded relief for the same period
Those businesses reaching the cash cap limits
Not considered in occupation
Empty properties
Business in receipt of full SBRR
In Liquidation or bankrupt
With incomplete accounts and filing with Companies House
Not a precepting authority e.g., Local Authority, Parish, or County Council
Above the subsidy allowance (different from grants normally £2,243,000 unless additional provisions are invoked)
Telephone masts, car park spaces (apart from Airport parking)
Any new business set up within the COVID period wef 01/03/2020 is unlikely to qualify
There are levels of reduction based on losses:
10%
20%
25%
30% up to maximum of £10,000
100% Exceptional cases up to a maximum of £20,000
This percentage will be applied to the net liability of business rates.
This will be apportioned based on an amendment to the net liability, on the 1st April 2021 in the relevant year.
The LA calculates the percentage based on the losses evidence.
Applied after all other mandatory and discretionary reliefs, other than Locally funded reliefs
The percentage is set against the net liability rate.
Category
Maximum Relief Award (Percentage) based on their net rate liability based on local demand
Criteria
Income receipt losses of up to 10 per cent due to COVID19
10%
Based on reduction of net profit/bank statements for current year (2021/22) as opposed to 2019/20.
Income receipt losses of up to 30 per cent due to COVID19
20%
Based on reduction of net profit/bank statements for current year (2021/22) as opposed to 2019/20.
Income receipt losses of up to 50 per cent due to COVID19
25%
Based on reduction of net profit/bank statements for current year (2021/22) as opposed to 2019/20.
Income receipt losses of over 50 per cent due to COVID19
30%, up to a maximum of £10,000
Based on reduction of net profit/bank statements for current year (2021/22) as opposed to 2019/20.
For exceptional circumstances it will be at the discretion of the individual Local Authority in addition (see paragraph 27 of this guidance).
Exceptional Circumstances (at the discretion of the individual Local Authority)
Businesses must demonstrate that they have suffered a significant loss in income because of the COVID-19 crisis
Comparative evidence of losses (showing difference in income/profit/Sales between 2021 and 2019) must be provided during the application process.
Name of the Business
Business trading address including postcode
Your business rates property
Your business rates account number
Proof of ID (e.g. for Ltd company: or for sole trader: passport, driving licence)
Unique identifier (preferably Company Reference Number (CRN)) if applicable, VAT Registration Number, Self-Assessment/Partnership Number, National Insurance Number, Unique Taxpayer Reference, Registered Charity Number will also be acceptable)
High level SIC Code
Nature of Business
Date business established
Number of employees
Cumulative total of previous funding received under all COVID-1
Evidence of trading and business activity as at the 1st April 2021 (e.g. till receipts, documented payments, evidence of bookings)
Evidences of losses Trading eg. financial accounts
comparative evidence of losses including:
Two previous years trading accounts
Current years accounts
Two years previous tax returns
Current years tax returns
Evidence of occupation of the rateable property (e.g. current under 3 months old utility bill such as gas, electric, water or landline, rates bill)
Evidence of in person service within the Hospitality & Leisure industry
Evidence of rent, lease of rateable property
Evidence of named holder of bank account (e.g. copy of bank statement)