Originally written by Timothy Adler on Small Business
US president Benjamin Franklin famously wrote that nothing in life is certain except death and taxes. However, there are some exemptions/reliefs if you want to reduce your business rates in England, which were first introduced in 1990 as property taxes paid by occupants of non-domestic properties, typically those occupying commercial and industrial premises.
What occupied properties are exempt from business rates?
You also may not have to pay business rates on:
Agricultural land and buildings, including fish farms
Buildings used for training or welfare of disabled people
Buildings registered for public religious worship or church halls
If your property is in England, you can report that you think it should be exempt using the Valuation Office Agency service.
>See also: Do I need to pay business rates working from home?
What exemptions for empty properties can I claim in England?
The government recognises that some premises do not have to pay business rates.
Empty properties
You do not have to pay business rates on empty office and retail buildings for three months. For industrial premises, the period of relief is six months. After this time, most businesses must pay full business rates.
A change of ownership during the three-month period does not trigger a fresh