Last Updated on November 10, 2026
Business rates are not one system. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each set their own rates, and most calculators only cover England.
This one covers all four. Enter your rateable value, pick the nation, and it gives an estimated yearly bill and a monthly figure using the 2026 to 2027 rates.
No email, no sign-up. It runs in your browser and nothing you type is sent anywhere.
How a rates bill is worked out
The bill is the rateable value times a rate in the pound, minus any relief. The rateable value is set by the valuation body, not the council. In England and Wales you can find yours on GOV.UK.
England, 2026 to 2027
| Rateable value | Shops, hospitality and leisure | Everything else |
|---|---|---|
| Under £51,000 | 38.2p | 43.2p |
| £51,000 to £499,999 | 43p | 48p |
| £500,000 or more | 50.8p | 50.8p |
Small business rate relief: nothing to pay on a rateable value of £12,000 or less if it is your only property. The relief then falls steadily to nothing at £15,000. At £13,500 it is 50%. Sources: GOV.UK: small business rate relief and GOV.UK: which properties get the lower rates.
Scotland, 2026 to 2027
| Rateable value | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to £51,000 | 48.1p (Basic Property Rate) |
| £51,001 to £100,000 | 53.5p (Intermediate Property Rate) |
| Over £100,000 | 54.8p (Higher Property Rate) |
Retail, hospitality and leisure premises with a rateable value up to £100,000 get 15% off, up to £110,000 per business. The Small Business Bonus Scheme can cut small bills further and is not in this estimate. Source: Scottish Government finance circular 2/2026.
Wales, 2026 to 2027
| Property | Rate |
|---|---|
| Small to medium retail shops, rateable value under £51,000 | 35p |
| Most other properties | 50.2p |
| Rateable value over £100,000 | 51.5p |
Small business rates relief in Wales is not in this estimate. Source: Business Wales: non-domestic rates update, February 2026.
Northern Ireland, 2026 to 2027
Northern Ireland uses Net Annual Value (NAV) and adds a regional rate of 30.79p to a district rate set by each of the 11 councils. The total runs from 57.84p in Fermanagh and Omagh to 72.16p in Derry City and Strabane. Belfast is 65.03p. Sources: Department of Finance: rate poundages and nibusinessinfo: how rates are calculated.
What this estimate leaves out
- Transitional relief, which limits how fast a bill can rise after the 2026 revaluation.
- Reliefs for charities, rural shops, empty property and pubs.
- Local discounts your council chooses to give.
The 28 October 2026 Budget changes rates in England again from April 2027. See our Budget page for what moved.
Rates are one line. Check the whole premises cost.
Rent, rates and bills are fixed costs you pay before a single sale. Put them in the break-even calculator to see how many sales cover them. Opening somewhere new? The Local Market Gap Finder shows how many businesses like yours are already in the area, and the startup cost calculator adds up the rest.
Questions people ask
How are business rates calculated in the UK?
Multiply the property’s rateable value by the rate in the pound for its nation and size, then take off any relief. In England in 2026 to 2027, a £30,000 office pays 43.2p in the pound, which is £12,960 before relief.
At what rateable value do you pay no business rates in England?
£12,000 or less, if it is the only property the business uses. Between £12,001 and £15,000 the relief falls steadily from 100% to nothing.
Are business rates the same in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?
No. Each nation sets its own rates and reliefs. In 2026 to 2027 the basic rate is 48.1p in Scotland and 50.2p in Wales, and Northern Ireland rates vary by council from 57.84p to 72.16p.
This is an estimate to help you plan. It is not an official bill or professional advice. Ask your council what you will actually pay and which reliefs you can claim.
