Business rates transparency and disclosure consultation publication

The measure

Under these proposals occupiers will be required to make annual returns in respect of any changes to their properties and in respect of rental details. These will be statutory returns similar to those used for other taxes. In addition, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) will be required to publish details of the evidence used to arrive at the valuations in any new Rating List (the next revaluation will be in 2026). 

Who will be affected?

All ratepayers in England and the VOA. 

When will the measure come into effect?

The government is publishing a consultation on providing ratepayers with more business rates valuation information; the date is yet to be confirmed. The government is seeking views on how disclosure of information might work in practice, while maintaining confidentiality and data protection.