Business rates question

[chrisd]

Can anyone advise please

I own an industrial unit that I have planning permission to knock down and rebuild. The Council want to charge me rates until the works start. What's the minimum amount of work that I need to do to stop the liability for this rates charge?

Thanks for any 100% correct information

 

[Fish]

I've owned shops & houses that have been empty for some time due to various reasons and I never had to pay full rates, I think at most I paid 50% until they were "in use" and that was after a free period, I would think the industrial side of business is no different, after all, you don't get free waste or some other services covered by general rates as its commercial. Surely your accountant should know?

This may help

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-business-rate-relief/exempted-buildings-and-empty-buildings-relief

 

[chrisd]

I've owned shops & houses that have been empty for some time due to various reasons and I never had to pay full rates, I think at most I paid 50% until they were "in use" and that was after a free period, I would think the industrial side of business is no different, after all, you don't get free waste or some other services covered by general rates as its commercial. Surely your accountant should know?

This may help

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-business-rate-relief/exempted-buildings-and-empty-buildings-relief

Thanks Robin, my building is larger and higher rated (I think) than is allowed under your scheme. I've had 6 months free relief and they're saying thsts it and charging the full amount. I know that the rates will stop when the rebuild starts but I've been told that if I start the demolition and the building is unusable I can stop paying - I just don't know how much demolition is needed to trigger it

 

[SocketRocket]

I believe you will have to pay rates if your period of 'Empty Premises' relief has expired.

 

[User20205]

Thanks Robin, my building is larger and higher rated (I think) than is allowed under your scheme. I've had 6 months free relief and they're saying thsts it and charging the full amount. I know that the rates will stop when the rebuild starts but I've been told that if I start the demolition and the building is unusable I can stop paying - I just don't know how much demolition is needed to trigger it

I'll swing by there on Monday evening and have a little accident with a can of petrol and some matches if you like chris

 

[guest100718]

You'd like advice on tax evasion?

 

[User20205]

You'd like advice on tax evasion?

It's avoidance. I'm sure you appreciate the subtle difference

 

[guest100718]

It's avoidance. I'm sure you appreciate the subtle difference

Yes evasion is illegal while what chrisd wants to do is probably just morally wrong. I suspect the council would take a dim view of it too.

 

[User20205]

Yes evasion is illegal while what chrisd wants to do is probably just morally wrong. I suspect the council would take a dim view of it too.

That's not the question in the op is it? It's not a discussion on the morality of tax avoidance.

I don't know these mates of the mods can get away with anything, taking threads off topic etc etc

If you get a freebie at wentworth through one of Patrick's contacts will you declare it? Is that kind of gift a taxable benefit in kind??

 

[guest100718]

That's not the question in the op is it? It's not a discussion on the morality of tax avoidance.

I don't know these mates of the mods can get away with anything, taking threads off topic etc etc

If you get a freebie at wentworth through one of Patrick's contacts will you declare it? Is that kind of gift a taxable benefit in kind??

It's exactly the question in the OP.

 

[richart]

Yes evasion is illegal while what chrisd wants to do is probably just morally wrong. I suspect the council would take a dim view of it too.

Good to see you are taking the moral high ground.:thup: Well done.

 

[User20205]

It's exactly the question in the OP.

No it's not, read it again.

There is some good news on the tax front for you though. I do believe the life coaching/personality adjustment sessions are tax deductible.

That must be a relief

 

[chrisd]

Yes evasion is illegal while what chrisd wants to do is probably just morally wrong. I suspect the council would take a dim view of it too.

Neither evasion or avoidance. I have full planning permission and have to demolish the old building, the time frame for doing the job is at my discretion and I was posing the question as I'm reluctant to demolish the entire building just in case several caravans move in the next day as this could be detrimental to people who have been good neighbours for many years.

When the building is finished the government will quickly earn a far greater rate than they have for the last 25 years and, finally, the Council have been extremely helpful in giving reduced rates and zero rates up till now. I don't see anything morally wrong with tax planning or deciding to demolish a building when it suits me!

I hope that makes you happy Paddy!

 

[Foxholer]

Yes evasion is illegal while what chrisd wants to do is probably just morally wrong. I suspect the council would take a dim view of it too.

Absolutely nothing morally wrong with it at all! Simply prudent planning! Seems a little like socialistic envy to me!

Councils simply apply the Rules - at least that part of councils - and are normally surprisingly helpful in that area. It's actually in their interest to be helpful, in order to attract businesses. Try asking Sawtooth and a few others about the morality of other parts of (some) councils!

 

[richart]

It's exactly the question in the OP.

So you complain to the mods about forumers that are trying to help on your Wentworth thread, but seem quite happy to ignore a specific request for expert advice on this one, and spout off about morality. :mmm:

 

[chrisd]

So you complain to the mods about forumers that are trying to help on your Wentworth thread, but seem quite happy to ignore a specific request for expert advice on this one, and spout off about morality. :mmm:

....... and I was trying to get the expert simply to stay within the law of the land

 

[guest100718]

....... and I was trying to get the expert simply to stay within the law of the land

You're trying to avoid paying your rates. I'll leave you to it.

 

[Fish]

Yes evasion is illegal while what chrisd wants to do is probably just morally wrong. I suspect the council would take a dim view of it too.

Why is it morally wrong? If he takes the roof of the building so it can't be used for anything and as such is then excused paying rates, then that's good management of the situation, nothing immoral and certainly isn't avoiding anything, he's just demolishing it in phases without leaving it exposed to travellers or just spreading the time management of the demolition out to suit his circumstances and cash-flow without incurring unnecessary costs, like rates!

He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone.....

 

[chrisd]

You're trying to avoid paying your rates. I'll leave you to it.

It's a shame that I don't have the friendship of the mods as I find that statement quite offensive!

 

[guest100718]

Can anyone advise please

I own an industrial unit that I have planning permission to knock down and rebuild. The Council want to charge me rates until the works start. What's the minimum amount of work that I need to do to stop the liability for this rates charge?

Thanks for any 100% correct information

If you are going to post on a public forum then expect to be questioned.The above sounds to me like your trying to avoid paying your rates. No ones saying its illegal, just at a time when tax avoidance is ever more in the news I felt it deserved comment.