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Business rates
Non-Domestic Rates (known informally as Business Rates) are a national tax, collected locally by councils. It is charged to the owner or occupier of business properties.
A portion of what we collect is paid to the government and Suffolk County Council. We retain some of the income, as well as a portion of any business rates growth.
Business rates income - together with Council Tax income - is spent on the provision of local services.
The government have published introductory guidance on business rates on their website.
Business Rates Multipliers
Business rates for a property are then calculated by multiplying its rateable value by the relevant multiplier.
There are five multipliers for the 2026/27 year:
|
Property Classification and Rateable Value |
2026/27 Multiplier |
|---|---|
|
Small business RHL multiplier, RHL properties only, RV below £51,000* |
38.2p |
|
Small business multiplier, non-RHL properties, RV below £51,000 |
43.2p |
|
Standard RHL multiplier, RHL properties only, RV £51,000-£499,999* |
43.0p |
|
Standard multiplier, non-RHL properties, RV £51,000-£499,999 |
48.0p |
|
High-value multiplier, all properties, RV £500,000 and above |
50.8p |
We also publish business rates multipliers from previous years.
Business rates data
We have previously published a large amount of information in relation to Business Rates. Following a review, we've decided this information will no longer be disclosed either on our website or in response to Freedom of Information requests.
We consider these categories of data held by Babergh District Council to be exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (the Act):
- Business name
- Correspondence address and contact details
- Liability start date
- All information relating to exemptions and reliefs
In making this decision we have had regard to the Appeal Decision of the Information Rights First-tier Tribunal - (Appeal Reference Number: EA/2018/0033) (Re Westminster) and the Information Rights First-tier Tribunal – Appeal Reference Number: EA/2018/0055 (Re Sheffield).
In these cases, the Tribunal found that information relating to empty properties, the business name, dates of occupation/vacancy and actual annual rates charged engaged the exemptions at section 31, 40(2) and 41 of the Act.
Available information
The following information is already available in the public domain via the Valuation Office Agency:
- Property reference
- Description of the property (e.g. ‘Hall and Premises' ‘Store and Premises etc.)
- Property address (with any personal data removed)
- Current rateable value
- Current rateable value effective date
For more information on finding business rates valuations, visit the Valuation Office Agency.
Business Rates Changes 2026/27
Changes to Business Rates for 2026/27. Including revaluation, multipliers, transitional relief, supporting small business scheme and how we are preparing.
Reliefs and reductions
Understanding your Rateable Value
If you disagree with the rateable value of your property, you can appeal it