Pre-filled with typical Creative & Media figures: 6 employees, £40,000 average salary. Adjust the sliders for your actual numbers.

Business Rates Calculator

Estimate your annual business rates bill based on your rateable value. Includes small business rate relief and the 2025/26 retail, hospitality & leisure discount.

£5k£15,000£200k

Available Reliefs

Small Business Rate Relief: 100% if RV ≤ £12,000, tapers to 0% at £15,000

Retail Discount: 75% relief for qualifying RHL properties (2025/26)

Your Annual Business Rates

£7,485

Small business multiplier: 0.499p

Gross bill (before relief)£7,485
Total saved in relief£0

Monthly Cost

£624 /month

Creative & Media — Key Concerns

  • Many freelancers and small studios operate near the VAT threshold
  • Mix of employed staff and freelance contractors complicates cost planning
  • MTD is a significant concern for sole-trader creatives

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Frequently Asked Questions

How are business rates calculated?
Your bill = Rateable Value × Multiplier. The multiplier for 2025/26 is 0.499p (small) or 0.546p (standard). Rateable values are set by the VOA.
What is small business rate relief?
Properties with a rateable value up to £12,000 get 100% relief (no rates). This tapers to 0% at £15,000. You must occupy only one property.
What is the retail discount?
For 2025/26, qualifying retail, hospitality, and leisure properties get 75% relief on their business rates bill, capped at £110,000 per business.