ABERDEEN & Grampian Chamber of Commerce is reminding local businesses that the deadline for appeals against revaluation of non-domestic rates is the end of this month.
Chamber leaders are also urging firms to check their eligibility for reliefs and exemptions following changes introduced this year.
Non-domestic rates based on a new valuation roll came into effect in April, along with a number of other changes, including changes to empty property relief, enterprise areas relief, eligibility criteria for the Small Business Bonus Scheme, and some transitional reliefs for smaller businesses.
There are also significant changes to the appeals process.
Firms have until July 31 to appeal the rateable value placed on their premises by the assessors at last year’s revaluation.
This value combined with the basic property rate (poundage) is used to determine business owners’ liabilities for non-domestic rates for the 2023-24 tax year.
Business owners unhappy with their valuation will now have to make a non-domestic proposal as part of a new two-step online appeals process.
Russell Borthwick, chief executive of the chamber, said: “Businesses liable for non-domestic rates have until July 31 to appeal against the revaluation placed on their property in the new valuation roll.
“Some significant changes to the appeal process have come into effect recently, so it will be important for business owners to familiarise themselves with the new system.
“The new appeals process is just one of a number of changes to the non-domestic rating system introduced from April this year.
“Businesses should check that they are receiving any reliefs to which they are entitled, and we would urge businesses to seek advice if they are in any doubt about their eligibility.
Realities on the ground
“While there will always be winners and losers in the revaluation process, trading conditions remain difficult in a number of sectors, including on the high street, and the valuations placed on business premises by the assessors need to reflect the realities on the ground.
“With the Government’s own latest economic forecasts pointing to an ‘uncertain and fragile outlook for growth’, it is important that the revised valuations for non-domestic rates do not stifle business confidence and growth.”
