CALCULATOR
Business rates calculator
Use our business rates checker to find out the rateable value of your property.
Our calculator helps you estimate how much you’ll need to pay in business rates. To use it, you'll need to
- Enter the full address of your business premises
- Select the location from the dropdown menu
- Enter the 2023 rateable value
Our experts hosted a virtual session to share key insights on how to prepare for the 2026 business rates revaluation on 14 January 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Business rates are a tax on the right to occupy commercial property. They’re usually half the amount of your annual rent, which means they can have a big impact on the profitability of your business.
Business rates are worked out in two steps. First, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) estimates the annual rent a property could fetch on a set valuation date. This figure, called the rateable value (RV), is listed alongside the property’s address on the VOA website.
Next, the RV is multiplied by the uniform business rate (UBR), a factor set every year – usually around 50p per £1. This means business rates are roughly 50% of the estimated rent. The UBR typically adjusts each year in line with inflation.
In England, the business rates multiplier for 2024-25 depends on a property’s RV:
- 49.9p per £1 for properties with an RV under £51,000
- 54.6p per £1 for properties with an RV of £51,000 or more
Unoccupied properties with an RV of £2,900 or below are exempt from business rates.
Example calculation
If a commercial property has an RV of £60,000, the business rates would be:
£60,000 x £0.546p = £32,760
This is the estimated annual charge before any reliefs, discounts or exemptions are applied.
You’ll need to pay business rates if you use a building, or part of one, for commercial purposes. Sometimes, the landlord will charge the occupier a rent that includes an amount for the business rate.
No. Value Added Tax (VAT) is not charged on business rates themselves. However, VAT may be charged on other services or fees associated with a property, and occupiers should check with their advisor or billing authority for clarity.
Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) can reduce or eliminate a business’s rates bill if the rateable value of the property is below specified thresholds and the business satisfies the eligibility criteria. The relief gradually tapers for properties within certain rateable value bands.
Empty property relief means that, for a limited period after a property becomes unoccupied, business rates may not be payable. Typically, relief lasts for the first three months that a property is empty, with extended relief for specific property types in certain circumstances.
Yes. Various reliefs – including Small Business Rate Relief, charitable relief, rural rate relief, and others – can reduce the amount of business rates payable if the qualifying conditions are met.
Business rates multipliers and valuations are updated periodically by the government and the Valuation Office Agency. Multipliers are generally set annually for each financial year, and revaluations of rateable values occur on a statutory cycle to reflect changes in the market.
England
2023-24: 49.9p - 51.2p
2024-25: 49.9p - 54.6p
2025-26*: 50.1p - 54.7p
- The City of London adds a supplement of £0.016p (under £50,999) and £0.018p (above £51,000).
- All properties over £75,000 in Greater London are charged an extra £0.02p for Crossrail.
Scotland
2023-24: 49.8p - 51.1p - 52.4p
2024-25: 49.8p - 54.5p - 55.9p
2025-26*: 50.0p - 54.8p - 56.2p
Wales
2023-24: 53.5p
2024-25: 56.2p
2025-26*: 56.5p
* The increase is based on the estimated CPI of 0.6% in September 2024
Our business rates advisors help you to reduce, appeal and manage your liabilities.
