Tamworth Town Hall

Local Conservatives have welcomed a Government announcement that Small businesses and local shops will find it easier to get their tax cuts as the Government scraps form filling rules to help increase take up.

The normal tax discount for small businesses give by Tamworth Borough Council, known as Small Business Rate Relief, has already been doubled this year, but the Council wants to help as many as possible claim the discounts they are eligible for.

Cllr Robert Pritchard, Portfolio holder for Businesses Rates at Tamworth Borough Council said

“It is clear that helping small shops and businesses grow is a crucial part of supporting our town centre and wider local economy. The rate discount for small businesses has already doubled in the past few months, but we want to see as many small business ratepayers as possible to claim their tax cuts. I welcome the change in the rules so councils can administer the scheme without being caught up in unnecessary Government red tape. This is great news for Tamworth’s businesses and shops.”

To help eligible businesses claim their tax cut in the future new measures in the upcoming Localism Bill will end the legal requirement for ratepayers to fill in an application form first. Councils will be free to administer Small Business Rate Relief in a way that best serves local businesses and local needs. The Government will also amend legislation to ensure that all eligible businesses automatically have their discounted bills calculated using the small business multiplier.

The council has already given out £264,000 in Small Business Rate Relief to local businesses, Mr Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth said:

“Small shops and businesses are crucial to the town’s economy and we know they were hit hard by the recession that Labour left us. All too often the tax support Government offers is tied up in so much red tape that small businesses are put off from getting it. As we rebalance the economy we are determined to give them a helping hand. We shall also let councils set discounts locally and we are considering proposals to let them keep what they collect. This will give councils a genuine financial stake in their local economy and let them target their support at local shops, pubs, post offices and start-up enterprises.”

If a business’s wishes to claim Small Business Rate Relief they can call Tamworth Borough Council on 01827 707709.