Calculate Your 2026/27 Bill
Your rateable value is on your rates bill or at gov.uk/find-business-rates. Results are estimates — your actual bill may vary due to transitional relief or other adjustments.
Understanding your result
The calculator applies the correct 2026/27 multiplier for your property type and rateable value, then checks whether Small Business Rate Relief reduces your bill further. Here's how the figures work:
The 2026/27 multipliers
From 1 April 2026 there are five separate multipliers in England, replacing the previous two. Which one applies to you depends on both your property type and your rateable value:
| Multiplier | Rate 2026/27 | Rate 2025/26 | Change | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small Business | 43.2p | 49.9p | ▼ 6.7p | Non-RHL, RV below £51,000 |
| Standard | 48.0p | 55.5p | ▼ 7.5p | Non-RHL, RV £51,000–£499,999 |
| RHL Small Business | 38.2p | 49.9p* | ▼ 11.7p | Retail/Hospitality/Leisure, RV below £51,000 |
| RHL Standard | 43.0p | 55.5p* | ▼ 12.5p | Retail/Hospitality/Leisure, RV £51,000–£499,999 |
| High Value | 50.8p | 55.5p | ▼ 4.7p | All properties, RV £500,000+ |
* RHL properties received a separate 75% discount (capped at £110,000) in 2025/26 rather than a dedicated multiplier. Effective rate shown for comparison.
Small Business Rate Relief
If your rateable value is £12,000 or below and this is your sole business property, you pay nothing — 100% Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) wipes out the entire bill. Between £12,001 and £14,999 the relief tapers from 100% down to 0%. Above £15,000 no SBRR applies, but you still automatically pay the lower small business multiplier (43.2p) rather than the standard rate if your RV is below £51,000.
Why your actual bill might differ
This calculator uses published multipliers and standard relief thresholds. Your official bill from the local council may differ for several reasons:
- Transitional relief — caps how much your bill can rise or fall in a single year following a revaluation. If your rateable value changed significantly on 1 April 2026, transitional relief may phase the change in over several years.
- Other reliefs — charity relief, discretionary relief, or hardship relief applied by your local council are not included in this estimate.
- Part-year adjustments — if you moved in or out of a property part-way through the year, your bill is pro-rated accordingly.
- Backdated changes — if your rateable value was altered following a successful appeal, your bill will reflect the revised figure from the date the Check was submitted.
Could your rateable value be wrong?
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) sets rateable values, but they are not always accurate. Common reasons a rateable value might be too high include: the VOA used comparable properties that aren't truly comparable, the floor area recorded is incorrect, the property has features that reduce its market value (poor access, shared facilities, noise), or the local rental market moved differently to the evidence the VOA used.
If your rateable value is overstated, you are overpaying every year — and the overcharge compounds across the full rating list period. A specialist can review your position for free and, if there are grounds, manage the full Check, Challenge, Appeal (CCA) process on a no win, no fee basis. Any reduction is backdated to the date you first submitted your Check, so acting early matters.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my business rates bill for 2026/27?
Multiply your rateable value by the appropriate multiplier for your property type and size. For most small businesses (non-RHL, RV below £51,000) the multiplier is 43.2p. So a rateable value of £30,000 gives a gross bill of £12,960. Then deduct any Small Business Rate Relief if applicable.
What is the business rates multiplier for 2026/27?
There are five multipliers: small business 43.2p, standard 48.0p, RHL small business 38.2p, RHL standard 43.0p, and high value 50.8p. The calculator above automatically selects the correct one based on your property type and rateable value.
Have business rates gone up or down in 2026/27?
The multipliers themselves have fallen significantly — the small business rate dropped from 49.9p to 43.2p. However, rateable values were also reset at the April 2026 revaluation. If your rateable value went up, your bill may still be higher despite the lower multiplier. Enter your previous rateable value in the calculator to see the comparison.
What counts as a Retail, Hospitality and Leisure property?
RHL properties include shops, restaurants, cafés, bars, pubs, hotels, guest houses, gyms, sports facilities, theatres, and cinemas. Your local council confirms whether your property qualifies for the lower RHL multiplier.
Why is my actual bill different from the calculator result?
Your bill may differ due to transitional relief (which caps annual increases/decreases), other reliefs such as charity or empty property relief, part-year adjustments, or backdated changes from a previous appeal. The calculator is an estimate using standard published rates.
Can I reduce my business rates bill?
Yes — either by applying for relief (SBRR, RHL, charity) or by challenging your rateable value through the Check, Challenge, Appeal process. A specialist can assess whether your rateable value is too high at no cost, on a no win, no fee basis.
What is my rateable value and where do I find it?
Your rateable value is on your business rates bill. You can also search for it free at gov.uk/find-business-rates using your postcode. All rateable values are publicly available, including those for neighbouring properties — useful for comparisons.