# What are business rates?

Checked 2026-10-01. By the RewardsPilot team.

Business rates are the tax charged on most non-domestic property in England and Wales, such as shops, offices, pubs, warehouses and factories. The local council sends the bill each February or March for the coming tax year. It is the property's rateable value, set by the Valuation Office, multiplied by the council's multiplier, less any relief.

## What to know

- The rateable value is the property's estimated open-market rent on a set date; the most recent revaluation took effect on 1 April 2026, based on rents at 1 April 2024.
- Relief schemes such as small business rate relief can reduce the bill; apply to the council.
- A home-based business usually pays no business rates if only a small part of the home is used for work.
- Scotland and Northern Ireland run their own systems.

Sources: GOV.UK, "Business rates" (https://www.gov.uk/introduction-to-business-rates). Checked 2026-10-01.

## Business rates and RewardsPilot

Business rates paid through RewardsPilot earn 4 RewardsPilot points per £1 of net spend.

## Related

- [How to pay your business rates](https://www.rewardspilot.co.uk/pay/business-rates)

### Does Business rates earn RewardsPilot points?

Business rates paid through RewardsPilot earn 4 RewardsPilot points per £1 of net spend.

Official facts are quoted from GOV.UK and can change. This is general information, not tax or legal advice.

Apply: https://www.rewardspilot.co.uk/apply · Request a call: https://www.rewardspilot.co.uk/request-a-call

---

Canonical URL: https://www.rewardspilot.co.uk/learn/business-rates
Markdown version: https://www.rewardspilot.co.uk/learn/business-rates.md
Last reviewed: 2026-10-01
Contact: info@rewardspilot.co.uk · 0161 850 2526
YTY LTD trading as RewardsPilot, company number 11880920. Payroll services provided under company number SC576748.