Get business rates reductions or relief

If you pay business rates, you could get a reduction in your bill. We have a range of reliefs your business could be eligible for.

You can apply online for some of the reliefs below. If you need help with getting online, or accessing online services, our Walsall Connected hubs can support you.

Small business rate relief

You can get this relief if:

• your property’s rateable value is less than £15,000
• your business only uses one property

Additional property

If you get a second property, you’ll keep receiving any existing relief on your main property for 12 months.

You can get small business rate relief on your main property after this if both the following apply:

• none of your other properties have a rateable value above £2,899
• the total rateable value of all your properties is less than £20,000

Small business multiplier

If your property has a rateable value below £51,000, your bill is calculated using the small business multiplier. This is slightly lower than the standard one. You don't need to get small business rate relief to be eligible for this.

You can apply online for small business rates. Read more about small business rates relief.

Review of all accounts receiving small business rate relief

We want to make sure we are correctly awarding discounts. If you are eligible and wish to continue receiving the discount, you should complete our small business rates relief review form.

Empty properties

You don't have to pay business rates on empty buildings for 3 months. After this time, most businesses must pay full business rates.

Some properties can get extended empty property relief:

• industrial premises (for example, warehouses) are exempt for a further 3 months
• listed buildings - until they’re reoccupied
• buildings with a rateable value under £2,900 - until they’re reoccupied

Charities can also get extended empty property relief providing that the next use of that property is for that charity, or a charity with the same aims and objectives. The same applies for amateur sports clubs.

Charitable rate relief

You can apply for relief of up to 80% if your business property is used:

• for charitable purposes
• as a community amateur sports club

Discretionary relief

You could be eligible for relief if you’re a non-profit or voluntary organisation.

If you are a charity, you may be eligible for further top up relief. If you are a non-profit organisation we can consider you for discretionary relief.

Retail, hospitality and leisure relief

Retail, hospitality and leisure relief replaced the retail discount on 1 April 2022.

Eligibility

Your business qualifies for relief if it is a:

• shop
• restaurant, café, bar or pub
• cinema or music venue
• hospitality or leisure business (for example, a gym, spa or hotel)

We will contact you if your business is eligible. Applications can also be submitted. Each of your business properties qualifies. The total relief per business is limited to £110,000.

Find out more about retail, hospitality and leisure relief.

2023-2024 scheme

If your business is eligible, you are entitled to a 75% discount on business rates for the 2023-24 tax year (1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024).

You have until 29 September 2024 to complete your application or declaration.

Grant Approval and Apply4 Online are both the same portal.

2024-2025 scheme

If your business is eligible, you are entitled to a 75% discount on business rates for the 2024-25 tax year (1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025).

All applications are subject to the completion of this declaration request.

Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) - declaration only

Applications are now closed.

If we have awarded your business a reduction under the CARF, you will have received a letter instructing you to complete a subsidy declaration.

You may also have:

• received a CARF subsidy declaration reminder
• been advised us that you need to complete a declaration

You can do this online:

If you don't submit a completed declaration, we could consider your business not eligible and the relief may be recovered.

Find out more about subsidy control on the government's website.

Contact us

You can contact us for more information about business rates relief.