Business rates consultation ends 7th June – why you need to know.

The Valuation office Agency’s (VOA) online consultation on what information should be shared about business rates presents a rare opportunity for the public to have their say in the workings of a government body. Whether a person currently pays or has never paid a commercial property tax seems not to matter, though the impact will certainly affect some more than others. The online consultation focuses on three specific areas: what extra information should be provided, what you need to judge if a valuation is accurate and fair, and what you consider sensitive data.

But what do business rates payers need to know aboutt their taxes from the VOA?

“The lack of ability to communicate with a VOA caseworker directly from the outset means that no support and guidance from the VOA is given until someone has begun their case.” Clare Whitfield, Head of Surveying and Operations at RVA Surveyors explained.

Even before recent years and the current pressures of inflation on businesses outgoing costs, business rates have been a constant (and rising) cost for many.

“All too often we hear from clients that the convoluted portal called Government Gateway that is used to file cases to reduce business rates, with multiple layers and requirements that are needed to set up the account – all of which you need before claiming your property then engaging the minefield of lodging a case through the Check Challenge Appeal process. This process alone can take up to three years, and a wealth of surveying knowledge that is needed to provide the exacting information and evidence that the VOA require.”

More so than in recent memory, businesses are feeling the pressure of inflation across the board. Even with certain reliefs, many will see increases through the rating list.

A complete reform or more frequent valuations have often been a hotly debated topic when it comes to overhauling the UK’s business rates tax system. Perhaps this is the ultimate goal of the VOA’s current undertaking. A survey in which to determine the popularity of more frequent valuations, as well as other concerns people may have about this particular tax.

No matter the amount of positive changes brought in however, it will have been too late for the thousands of businesses that have had to close their doors for good.

Don’t miss out on having your voice heard by the 7^{th of} June.