Difficulty paying your business rates

If you are having difficulty paying your business rates email businessrates@southglos.gov.uk as soon as possible or visit one of our One Stop Shops.

You will need to let us know:

• the instalment(s) you are likely to miss
• the cause for the delay
• when full or part payment will be made

We may be able to help by rescheduling your payments or moving your payment date.

Check if you can apply for a business rate relief or exemption.

What happens if you do not pay your business rates

If you do not pay your business rates we will begin a process that could include:

• reminder notices
• court proceedings
• a special payment arrangement
• debt recovery

The process we follow

If you fall behind with your payments, we will send you a reminder notice.

If you do not pay within 14 days of the reminder notice and fail to contact us, we will ask for payment of the whole year’s business rates. If you fail to pay the full amount, a court summons will be issued.

If you make the payment by the date requested but miss another payment in the same financial year you must pay the whole year’s business rates. If you fail to pay the full amount, a court summons will be issued.

If you get a court summons you will be charged additional costs which will be added to your unpaid bill.