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Overview

If you pay non-domestic rates, your property may be eligible for non-domestic rates relief. These discounts only apply to your non-domestic rates bill and won't directly reduce your rent, water charges or other bills.

Non-domestic rates are often referred to as 'business rates'.

Rates reliefs are handled differently in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

If you think you may be eligible for any discounts on your bill, such as the Small Business Bonus Scheme, you can contact your local council to discuss eligibility. This service is free.

You'll need to apply to your local council for reliefs (except Revaluation Tranistional Relief). You do not have to pay to apply. Be wary of anyone who proposes to apply on your behalf for a fee.

Aberdeen City CouncilAberdeenshire CouncilAngus CouncilArgyll and Bute CouncilClackmannanshire CouncilComhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council)Dumfries & Galloway CouncilDundee City CouncilEast Ayrshire CouncilEast Dunbartonshire CouncilEast Lothian CouncilEast Renfrewshire CouncilEdinburgh CouncilFalkirk CouncilFife CouncilGlasgow City CouncilHighland CouncilInverclyde CouncilMidlothian CouncilMoray CouncilNorth Ayrshire CouncilNorth Lanarkshire CouncilOrkney Islands CouncilPerth & Kinross CouncilRenfrewshire CouncilScottish Borders CouncilShetland CouncilSouth Ayrshire CouncilSouth Lanarkshire CouncilStirling CouncilWest Dunbartonshire CouncilWest Lothian Council

If you're starting a business or occupying a new premises, you may need to apply for relief. You can apply online to most councils. In some areas, you might need to re-apply for your reliefs every year or if your council carries out a review.

In some cases, reliefs can even be back-dated. For example, if you forgot to apply in the relevant year. You should speak to your council for more information.

You have to apply for the following reliefs:

Your council might also offer local reliefs in your area. You should contact your council to find out more. You should also contact your council if:

Some reliefs might be affected by subsidy control rules. Contact your council for more information.

Use our non-domestic rates calculator to estimate your non-domestic rates bill.

You can find a timeline of future changes to non-domestic rates on gov.scot.

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