New business rates landscape from 2026
From April 2026:
- New transitional relief and Supporting Small Business schemes come in.
- Retail, hospitality and leisure get permanently lower multipliers.
- Properties with rateable value over £500,000 face a higher multiplier to help fund this.
- EV charge points and EV-only forecourts get 100% business rates relief for 10 years.
What this means for your premises
- High street retailers, pubs, cafés and gyms may see some ongoing relief.
- Large warehouses, showrooms and other big-footprint sites could face higher bills.
- If you’re investing in EV infrastructure, there are strong property tax incentives.
Action steps
- Check your current rateable value and multiplier
Know your starting point before changes kick in. - Forecast your business rates to 2027 and beyond
Don’t assume they’ll stay roughly the same. - Consider premises strategy
- Do you need a large single site?
- Would splitting or relocating change the rating picture?
- Review reliefs regularly
Make sure you’re claiming every discount and relief you’re entitled to, many go unclaimed.
How can we help at MDH
Book a quick tax chat with me, no strings attached. We’ll have a look at your situation and spot opportunities you might be missing. And as a thank-you, I’ll send you a free copy of our book 75 Ways to Pay Less Tax, packed with simple, practical tips you can put to work straight away. Let’s make sure your money’s working smarter, not harder.
