Calculation of your business rates bill

We will use the Rateable Value (RV) shown in the rating list to calculate the business rates payable. We will multiply the RV with a figure called a ‘multiplier’ which is set each year by government. Then reliefs (discounts) or exemptions may be applied to eligible businesses to calculate the rates payable.

2026/2027 new multipliers

From 1 April 2026 the government have announced 3 new multipliers (5 multipliers in total). The multiplier used is based upon the Rateable Value (RV) and whether a business is eligible for Retail, Hospitality or Leisure Relief (RHL).

Multipliers for the 2026/2027 financial year:
Name of mutipliers RV Eligible for RHL Multiplier used
Small business (RHL) £0 to £50,999 Yes 0.382 (or 38.2p)
Small business (Non RHL) £0 to £ 50,999 No 0.432 (or 43.2p)
Standard (RHL) £51,000 to £499,999 Yes 0.430 (or 43.0p)
Standard (Non RHL) £51,000 to £499,999 No 0.480 (or 48.0p)
High value (All) £500,000 and above All large properties 0.508 (or 50.8p)


Please note

Unoccupied property does not qualify for the lower RHL Multipliers.

Property with rateable values of £500,000 or more do not qualify for the lower RHL multipliers.

Transitional Relief Supplement (TRS) affecting multipliers

From 1 April 2026, all businesses who do not get Supporting Small Business or Transitional Relief will pay an extra 1p surcharge on their multiplier for one year only from 1 April 2026. TRS has been introduced to part fund the Transitional Relief scheme for the 2026/2027 financial year.

Using the small business (RHL) example, in the above table:

  • a multiplier of 0.392 (or 39.2p) would be used instead of 0.382 (or 38.2p)

2026/2027 Transitional Relief

Transitional relief compares:

  • your RV on 31 March 2025 multiplied by the relevant 2025/2026 multiplier with
  • your RV on 1 April 2026 multiplied by the relevant 2026/2027 multiplier and, if eligible, applies a percentage capped limit. 

If your 2026 RV has gone up, Transitional Relief may apply to some businesses and, if eligible, this will be shown on your bill. You do not need to apply for Transitional Relief. We will automatically calculate this for you and, if awarded, it will be shown on your bill.  

Transitional Relief has some control on how quickly your bill can rise. Transitional Relief for 2026/2027 prevents your business rates from increasing too quickly by applying a percentage capped limit.   

Government set the percentage cap limits at each general revaluation.

For the 2026/2027 financial year the maximum increase allowed is:

  • 5% for small businesses with RVs up to 20,000
  • 15% for medium businesses with RVs from 20,001 to 100,000
  • 30%, for large businesses with RVs of 100,001 or more

Transitional Relief future capped limits for 2027/2028 and 2028/2029

The transitional relief scheme is a phased scheme for up to 3 years and compares one year with the next year. The government has already set the limits for the 2027/2028 and 2028/2029 years. 

Multipliers for the 2028/2029 financial year:
Business size 1 April 2027 to 31 March 2028 1 April 2028 to 31 March 2029
Small RV £0 to 20,000 10% plus inflation  25% plus inflation 
Meduium RV £20,001 to £100,000 25% plus inflation 40% plus inflation 
Large RV £100,001 or over 25% plus inflation  25% plus inflation 


Changes to RV and Transitional Relief 

Subsequent changes made to the 31 March 2025 RV or the 1 April 2026 RV may lead to a change to Transitional Relief. With a RV or rating list change the Valuation Office (VO) may issue a transitional relief certificate to assist with this calculation. We will use the certificate to recalculate Transitional Relief, and a revised bill may then be issued. If eligible, Transitional Relief will be shown on your bill.   

If you disagree with the value shown on the Transitional Relief Certificate, contact the Valuation Office.