How to spread some of the Retail Price Index increase in your 2012/13 business rates over three years
Business rates have been increased for 2012/13 in line with the Retail Price Index. You can spread 60% of this increase over three years - this amounts to 3.2% of the 2012/13 charge. If you do this, you then don't pay the increase in your 2012/13 bill, but you pay back the amount you deferred during 2013/14 and 2014/15. You don't pay any interest on the amount you put off paying.
What's the deadline for applying?
You must apply by 31 March 2013, as long as you have some of your 2012/13 bill left to pay. But please apply early! Download the application form or contact us for a form.
How much of my bill can I put off paying?
You can put off paying 3.2% of the whole year's 2012/13 business rates bill.
What if I've already paid some or all of my bill?
You can put off paying 3.2% of the whole 2012/13 bill, as long as you have that amount still to pay.
How will my payments be reduced?
We will spread the amount you are putting off paying over your remaining payments for the whole year. For example, if you can put off £100 and you have four payments left to make, we will reduce each of those payments by £25.
How soon will I see the benefit of making lower payments?
If you return your application form by 9 June, you will see the reduction in your July instalment. If you apply after 9 June, we will reduce the instalment following your application, or the one after that.
When will I have to pay back the amount I deferred?
You will pay back half the amount you put off in 2013/14 and the other half in 2014/15, as well as paying your full bill for those years. Your rates bills in 2013/14 and 2014/15 will include details of the amounts you have put off paying and need to pay, and we will adjust your payments in line with this.
What if I have more than one property?
If you have more than one property in Manchester, you only need to fill in one application form. You need to tell us the addresses of all the properties you want to claim for. If you have properties in other council areas, you need to apply to each council separately.
What if I stop occupying the property?
You need to let us know. You will need to pay the amounts you have a duty to pay by law, including the amount you have deferred. We will send you a revised bill to let you know how much to pay.
What if I'm already in arrears with my payments?
You don't automatically have the right to defer the RPI increase if you have already lost the right to pay your bill by instalments. You can still apply to put off the 3.2% of your bill, but we will decide whether to allow this or not. You may also want to contact us to see what other help is available.
There are more details of the support and information available for businesses at www.businesslink.gov.uk (the government's online resource for businesses).