Your annual business rates bill is calculated and collected by your local council.

The council multiply the rateable value set by the VOA with a multiplier set by central government. The multiplier, set by Communities and Local Government in England or the Welsh Assembly Government, represents the number of pence in each pound of rateable value that will be payable in business rates before any reliefs or discounts are applied. It is reviewed each year to reflect changes in inflation.

You can get an estimate of your rates bill for 2011-12. This will use your 2010 rateable value and your location to provide an estimate.

There are also several rate relief schemes available which may affect your bill. Your local council will administer these.

We publish a list of the current and previous multipliers.