Business rates

Business rates are taxes paid by businesses to help pay for local services. If you run a business in a building or part of a building, you’ll have to pay business rates

Business rates are charged on most businesses, including:

• shops
• offices
• factories
• warehouses
• public houses
• cinemas
• holiday homes
• bed and breakfasts

Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief Scheme 2024/25

This scheme provides relief amounting to 75% of the business rates bill for eligible occupied retail, hospitality and leisure properties in 2024/25. Your business rates bill for 2024/25 includes this relief if your business is eligible.

In some circumstances, you may have to complete a form either to accept the relief and declare you comply with a cash cap and exemption threshold ('Form A') or to refuse the relief ('Form B'). For full details, go to Retail, hospitality and leisure relief 2024/25.

As a general rule, Discretionary Rate Relief applications will be considered for the previous financial year (i.e 1st April to 31st March), if an application is determined on or before the 30th September of the following year. For example a Discretionary Relief application determined on 30th September 2024, may be awarded from the 1st April 2023. Any application after 30th September can only be awarded for the current year.

Improvement Relief

From 1 April 2024, a business rates Improvement Relief scheme will support businesses wishing to invest in their property. For details, go to Improvement Relief.

How much you pay

All businesses have a rateable value. The amount you’ll have to pay is based on a professional judgement of the annual rent of a property on the open market at the fixed valuation date.

The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) gathers as much information as possible on the actual rents paid for properties throughout England. It uses this evidence and other information to determine the levels of rental value appropriate in a particular location for a particular type of property.

Business rate payments

Use the form below to set-up a direct debit for business rates, paying in 10 or 12 monthly instalments.

You can also pay online by credit or debit card.

Pay your business rates

Tell us when your business occupies or vacates a property

Use the forms below to let us know when your business occupies or vacates a property in Thurrock, either as owner, leaseholder or tenant. Installation of goods or machinery counts as occupation for business rates, whether or not the property is being used.

Business rates property occupation form

Business rates property vacating form

Rating advisers

You don't have to be represented in discussions about your rateable value or rates bill – appeals against rateable values can be made free of charge.

You should take great care before employing a rating adviser to represent you. Check they have the necessary knowledge and expertise, as well as appropriate indemnity insurance. If necessary, seek further advice before entering into any contract.

Members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Institute of Revenues and Rating (IRRV) are qualified and regulated by rules of professional conduct to protect the public.

Apply for a refund

If you have paid too much business rates, you can ask for a refund using the form below.

Claim a business rates refund

More information

Go to GOV.UK: Business rates for more information. General explanatory notes from the government are provided below.

You can contact us to discuss your business rates payments.