Support for Small Businesses

Some businesses that occupy an assessment with a low rateable value are entitled to a reduction in their business rates.

The objective of these schemes is to reduce the impact of Business Rates on small businesses.

The Small Business Rates Relief scheme also introduced a second multiplier with which Business Rates is calculated for qualifying ratepayers. This means that since 1 April 2017, the Small Business Rates multiplier is used to calculate the Business Rates, on properties with a rateable value of 51,000 or less. For more information about how your Business Rates is calculated please see our dedicated page.

Small Business Rates Relief

To qualify for Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) a ratepayer must occupy either:

  • one property with a rateable value of less than £15,000

  • one main property and other additional properties providing the additional properties each have a rateable value of £2,899 or less and the total rateable value of all your properties is £19,999 or less.

The maximum discount is 100% for properties with rateable values of up to and including £12,000. The amount of relief reduces on a sliding scale for properties with rateable values between £12,000 and £15,000.

If you are already in receipt of small business rates relief and your business takes on an additional property you are allowed to keep the relief on their existing property for a period of 12 months providing your occupation of the additional property started on a date after you occupied the main property.

Qualifying properties with rateable values from £15,000 to £51,000 have their Business Rates automatically calculated using the lower multiplier but are not entitled to relief. 

Important information

  • any entitlement to Small Business Rate Relief will only be backdated to a  maximum of 6 years from the date of entitlement.
  • empty properties, ratepayers in receipt of mandatory charity relief and ratepayers in receipt or rural rate relief do not qualify for SBRR
  • you must notify us within 28 days of any changes in your circumstances that may affect your entitlement to relief; eg. if you become liable for an additional property anywhere in England, if there is an increase in the rateable value of any properties which you occupy including those outside Doncaster or if you extend your current premises
  • if you make a false declaration you can be fined, imprisoned or both  

How to apply from SBRR

If you think your business is entitled to this relief please contact us or complete the application below. 

Applicaton for Small Business Rates Relief
Download (39KB)

The application must be in writing and signed by the ratepayer, a partner of the business, or in the case of limited companies, a company director.

If you are receiving this relief, but should not be

If you are receiving this relief but should not be, or you no longer meet the above criteria, please contact us immediately.

Supporting Small Business Rates Relief 2023

At the 2022 Autumn Statement the Chancellor announced that the 2023 Supporting Small Business (SSB) scheme will cap bill increases at £600 per year for any business losing eligibility for some or all Small Business Rate Relief or Rural Rate Relief at the 2023 revaluation. 

Further information can be found at Business Rates Relief: 2023 Supporting Small Business Relief, local authority guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Awards of relief will be made automatically and will show on your business rates bill. You do not need to apply. If you think your business should have received this relief, but did not, please contact us.

Rural Rate Relief

Rural rate relief can be awarded to certain types of business if it is the only business of that type (see below) and it is located in one of settlements included on the Rural Settlement List.

From 1st April 2017 the amount of relief given is 100%.

General Stores

To qualify for relief the property must be the only general store in the rural settlement and the rateable value must be less than £8,500.

For the purposes of this relief a qualifying general store is defined as a property (or part of) which is a trade or business consisting wholly or mainly of the sale of food for human consumption (excluding confectionery) and general household goods (must be at least some of each) and such a trade or business is not carried on in any other property (or part of) in that rural settlement.

Post Offices

To qualify for relief the property must be the only post office in the rural settlement and the rateable value must be less than £8,500.

Public Houses

To qualify for relief the property must be the only post office in the rural settlement and the rateable value must be less than £12,500.

Petrol Filling Stations

To qualify for relief the property must be the only petrol filling station in the rural settlement and the rateable value must be less than £12,500.

Food Stores

To qualify for relief the property must be the only food store in the rural settlement and the rateable value must be less than £8,500.

For the purposes of this relief the trade or business must consist of the sale or retail of food for human consumption (excluding confectionary). The supply of food in the course of catering is also excluded from this relief; this includes premises where food is supplied for consumption on the premises or the supply of hot food off those premises. (ie restaurants, cafes, tea rooms etc).

The Rural Settlement List

Rural Settlement List 2017
Download (16KB)

How to apply for Rural Rate Relief

If you think you may qualify for this relief, please complete the application below and return to us. Alternatively, please contact us. 
Mandatory Rural Relief Application Form
Download (149KB - PDF) 

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Last updated: 15 January 2024 07:51:26

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