Business Rates

Planned maintenance

We are carrying out maintenance work on our online system for Council Tax, Benefits and Business Rates.

This maintenance will take place from Monday 20 April at 8:30am to Tuesday 21 April at 5:30pm. This maintenance may prevent you from accessing your account.

We apologise for any inconvenience.

Important changes to Business Rates

In the Autumn 2025 Budget, the government announced changes to how Business Rates are calculated, which will affect your future bills. They have also applied a Transitional Relief Supplement to all bills, but some businesses will not have to pay it. You can find a full explanation of the Transitional Relief Supplement.

We frequently receive FOI requests about Business Rates, so we produce quarterly reports detailing the information.

Important changes to business rates from 1 April 2026 In the Autumn 2025 Budget, the government announced changes to how Business Rates are calculated, which will affect your future bills.

Appeal your rateable value Business Rates depend on your business property’s rateable value, which is set by the Valuation Office Agency.

Apply for Business Rates relief If you are eligible for a Business Rates relief scheme, we can reduce your Business Rates bill.

Business Rates multiplier for retail, hospitality and leisure If we haven't already applied this to your bill, you can find out if you are eligible and how to apply.

Business Rates relief for pubs and live music venues The government have announced that in 2026/27, eligible pubs and live music venues will receive 15% relief on their business rates bill. You can find out how to apply if we haven't automatically applied this to your bill.

Business Improvement District (BID) Find out about the Chelmsford Business Improvement District (BID), which is funded by a levy that we collect on their behalf.

Change of address for Business Rates You need to tell us for Business Rate purposes if your address changes because your business has moved.

Paperless billing If you want us let you know by email that your Business Rates bill is available to view, you can request paperless billing.

Pay your Business Rates Find out how to pay your Business Rates by Direct Debit, online or in other ways.

Reminders, finals and summonses You must contact us as soon as possible if you’re struggling to pay your Business Rates or are behind with your payments.

Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief Eligible businesses can get relief on their business rates bills. This is called the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Relief Scheme, and is capped at £110,000.

Transitional Relief and Supporting Small Business Relief 2023 If your Business Rates bill is changing, we will automatically apply the appropriate relief to your account, to help you manage the changes.

Understanding your bill Find a detailed breakdown of what your Business Rates bill means, and download our explanatory notes.

View your account online Find out how to register for an account and then view it online, where you can also set up a Direct Debit and report a change of address.