High Street Businesses in Rhondda Cynon Taf Claim your rate relief!
High Street retailers and businesses across RCT have just a few weeks left to claim up to £1,500 rate relief.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council launched the Welsh Government Business Rates Relief Scheme last June to support high street retailers including food and drink premises and has to date awarded some £250,000 to 400 local businesses.
There is still time to apply if you haven't already done so, but completed applications must be in by March 31.
Cllr Robert Bevan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Housing, said: "The Council was pleased to introduce the Welsh Government Business Rates Relief Scheme to provide support for high street businesses such as independent traders, cafes, catering firms and so on.
"To know that a quarter of a million pounds has been spent supporting 400 small businesses in RCT shows the commitment we have to supporting our high streets, with other initiatives including free or reduced town centre car parking, our town centre maintenance grant pilot, festive events to showcase our towns and what they offer and more.
"While so many have already benefitted, we believe there are other businesses that also qualify that have not yet claimed their rate relief. We urge them to do so as soon as possible as the scheme comes to an end on March 31."
The scheme provides up to £1,500 of relief for each qualifying property and is targeted at High Street properties who were in occupation of their premises on 31st March 2017 and 1st April 2017 and have a Rateable Value of below £50,001.
There are two levels of relief available. Support of up to £500 is available for high street businesses with a rateable value of between £6,001 and £12,000 and who are in receipt of small business rates relief, while support of up to £1,500 is available for those with rateable values between £12,001 and £50,000 that saw an increase in their liability from 1st April 2017 as a result of 1st April 2017 revaluation.
If you have not made your claim for HSRR then you must complete and return a signed application form to the Council before 31st March 2018 in order to be considered. The application form is available at http://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Business/BusinessRates/RelatedDocuments/applicationform.pdf or telephone 01443 425002 to request a form or discuss the scheme in more detail.
Before you apply please note:
- Premises with a Rateable Value of more than £12,000 – the Rateable Value of the premises must be the same or higher following the 1st April 2017 revaluation to qualify for HSRR
- The amount of HSRR you will receive will be limited to the amount of rates actually payable by you
- If you vacate a property after 1st April 2017 the amount of HSRR will be reduced proportionately
- Properties already receiving Mandatory Charitable Rate Relief are not eligible for HSRR
- State Aid 'de minimis' rules apply
