First, find your rateable value. It’s on your bill or at the gov.uk website—just pop in your postcode. For example, if your café has a rateable value of £15,000, you’re halfway there.
What Are Business Rates? | Blog | Stashbee
Next, you need the multiplier—a yearly number set by the government. Think of it as the “tax meter.” For 2026 in England, the standard multiplier for small businesses is about 49.9p per pound of rateable value. Yes, it sounds like a math riddle, but it’s simple: multiply £15,000 by 0.499.
So, £15,000 x 0.499 = £7,485. That’s your annual business rates bill before any relief. See? No calculus degree needed—just a basic phone calculator and a cup of tea.
But Wait—There’s a Twist (Like a Good Soap Opera)
Not everyone pays the full amount. Small businesses, charities, and rural shops can get discounts—sometimes up to 100% off. That rateable value figure is like the price tag on a car; you might negotiate it down with a clever trade-in.
For example, if Dave’s bookshop has a rateable value of £12,000 and he qualifies for Small Business Rate Relief, his bill could drop to zero. Yes, absolutely nothing. It’s like finding a £20 note in your winter coat—unexpected and brilliant.
