THE COMPLETE GUIDE
Business rates explained
Business rates are a tax on non-domestic property in England. Your bill is the property's rateable value multiplied by the year's multiplier, minus any relief you qualify for. For 2026/27 the multipliers are 48.0p (standard), 43.2p (small business) and 38.2p (retail, hospitality & leisure).
Business rates are one of the largest fixed costs a business carries, and one of the most error-prone. This guide covers what they are, how they're worked out, what you can claim, and how to check you're not paying too much.
Check your bill freeHow business rates are calculated
The formula is rateable value × multiplier − relief. The rateable valueis the Valuation Office Agency's estimate of your property's annual rental value. The multiplier is set nationally each year. Try the business rates calculator to estimate yours.
The 2026/27 multipliers
- Standard, 48.0p: properties with a rateable value of £51,000 or more.
- Small business, 43.2p: properties under £51,000.
- Retail, hospitality & leisure, 38.2p: qualifying RHL properties under £51,000.
Relief you can claim
Several reliefs reduce or remove the bill, and many go unclaimed. The big ones are Small Business Rate Relief and the RHL relief. See the full list of business rates relief.
The 2026 revaluation
Rateable values were updated at the 2026 revaluation, so many bills changed. Large increases should be phased in through transitional relief. If your value rose, it's worth checking it's correct.
If you think you're paying too much
You can reduce your business rates by claiming relief, fixing the multiplier, or appealing the rateable value. If you were overcharged, you may be owed a refund.
Check your bill in a minute
Upload your rates bill, we read it, cross-check the official VOA list, and show what you could save. Free.
Check my billQuestions
What are business rates?
Business rates are a tax on most non-domestic properties, shops, offices, pubs, warehouses and so on, used to help fund local services. Your bill is based on the property's rateable value.
How are business rates calculated?
Rateable value × the multiplier (rate in the pound) for the year, minus any relief. For 2026/27 the standard multiplier is 48.0p, the small business multiplier 43.2p, and the retail/hospitality/leisure multiplier 38.2p.
Who has to pay business rates?
Usually the occupier of a non-domestic property. Some properties are exempt, and many qualify for relief that reduces or removes the bill.
How do I know if I'm overpaying?
Common causes are a missed relief, the wrong multiplier, or an over-stated rateable value. Upload your bill to our free checker and we'll flag them against the official VOA list.