Business Rates - Hardship Relief

If your business is suffering severe hardship and cannot pay your business rates bill the Council may decide to grant relief of up to 100%. This would normally only be done in extreme cases of hardship and for businesses which are particularly important to the local community. The decision to grant relief takes account of the fact that local council taxpayers will cover part of the cost of the relief.

A successful applicant would need to demonstrate that each of the following three conditions have been met:

• That hardship is being endured (established by the examination of financial records),
• That the business is viable and the granting of relief will help ensure the future of the business, and
• That the business provides a considerable community benefit. In judging this, the range of facilities available is considered along with the wish to avoid the decline of the local area.

For further advice please telephone (01935 462462) or email the Business Rates Team at businessrates@southsomerset.gov.uk

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