Business rates
Business rates fraud through false claims, undisclosed liability, and property misuse
Business rates are also known as non-domestic rates. They are a rate charged to non-domestic or business premises like shops, offices, and warehouses.
Certain types of property are excluded from business rates, and some businesses can legitimately claim relief from rates due to the size of their organisation, or due to the type of business or organisation such as a charity.
Examples of Business or Non-domestic rate fraud:
- Being dishonest and when claiming to be a certain type of business or charity
- False claims for relief or discount
- Failing to notify the council of liability for business rates
- Failing to notify the council a property is in use for a business purpose
- Dishonestly claiming a property is empty when using it for a business
- Not declaring a new business premises
- Failing to inform the Council business has moved into a property
- Setting up Phoenix company (a false company) and moving the assets from one limited company to another so debt is written off
