Business Rates
Our coverage on Business Rates focuses on the policy reforms, valuation frameworks, and financial implications of non-domestic property taxation across the UK. Accountancy Today reports on government consultations, revaluation cycles, rate relief schemes, and appeals processes that directly impact commercial tenants, landlords, and their advisers. We analyse how changes in business rates affect sectors such as retail, hospitality, and manufacturing, alongside the broader implications for property planning and cost management. Our editorial also examines the advisory role of accountants in navigating rates liabilities and securing relief for clients. This coverage provides accountants, tax advisers, and financial planners with critical insight into one of the most complex areas of business taxation.
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Apr- 2025 -15 AprilComment
Guiding clients through the new RHLR changes
From April, important changes will affect business rates reliefs for the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors. Businesses across these industries will need to rethink their financial plans to adapt to the new rules. As a result, many businesses might face new challenges while trying to stay afloat in a changing…
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Nov- 2024 -15 NovemberEconomy
UK economy stagnates in three months to September
UK gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have stagnated during the third quarter of the year as uncertainty ahead of the budget affected decision making, according to the latest figures from the Office For National Statistics. The ONS found that UK GDP increased by 0.1% in Quarter 3 (July…
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Oct- 2024 -31 OctoberLatest News
Accountancy industry warns businesses may struggle following budget
Yesterday (30 October) chancellor Rachel Reeves increased employers’ national insurance contributions in a bid to help raise as much as £40bn in taxes as part of the Autumn Budget. Employers’ national insurance contributions will rise by 1.2%, from 13.8% to 15%. In addition, the threshold at which businesses start paying…
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30 OctoberBudget
Budget: Increases to employers’ NI and minimum wage
The Chancellor Rachel Reeves has increased employers’ national insurance contributions in a bid to help raise as much as £40bn in taxes, pledging to also boost long-term growth and “mark an end to short term-ism” as part of Labour’s first budget since it came into power.Employer national insurance contributions will…
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17 OctoberBusiness
Businesses’ profit expectations at three-year low ahead of Autumn Budget
Grant Thornton UK LLP has found that mid-market business confidence is faltering ahead of the Autumn Budget on 30 October, as profit growth expectations sunk to a three-year low. The firm’s latest Business Outlook Tracker*, which surveyed 603 UK mid-sized businesses in October, finds that just over one third (39%)…
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Apr- 2024 -8 AprilBusiness Recovery
Number of retailers going insolvent jumps to 2,195, says Mazars
The number of insolvencies of retailers increased 19% in the past year to 2,195 in 2023/24, up from 1,843 in 2022/23, Mazars, the international audit, tax and advisory firm has found. High profile retail insolvencies include The Body Shop in February, as well as fashion brand Ted Baker and online…
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Mar- 2024 -6 MarchBudget
Chancellor cuts NI by a further 2p as part of Spring Budget
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced a further 2p cut to National Insurance, falling from 10% to 8% from 6 April, as part of his Spring Budget for “long-term growth”.The reduction in National Insurance is expected to save the average worker £450 a year, or £350 for those who are self-employed. …
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Feb- 2024 -29 FebruaryComment
What accountants should expect from the Budget
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt gave accountants plenty to chew over at his last Budget, with a rapid reduction in NICs, full expensing made permanent, and several decisions on business rates. His next Budget, due on March 6, will be hotly-watched by the business community and accountants as they press for a…
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26 FebruaryBusiness
Mid-sized businesses struggle to expand, says BDO
Mid-sized businesses are struggling to expand due to persistent cost pressures and difficulty accessing capital, according to new analysis from BDO. The bi-monthly research, which surveys 500 leaders of mid-sized businesses (£10m – £300m turnover), reveals that over half (55%) say operating costs and the cost of borrowing is one…
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Nov- 2023 -23 NovemberBudget
Industry reacts: Accountants welcome NI cut despite fiscal drag concerns
The accountancy sector has primarily welcomed plans to make full expensing permanent for businesses as well as a 2% cut in employee national insurance, as unveiled by the chancellor Jeremy Hunt in the Autumn Budget yesterday (22 November). Professional body ACCA has said that encouraging investment in businesses and incentivising…
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