The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has launched an online consultation to enable the public to have their say on what information should be shared about business rates. The consultation aims to identify details about what additional information should be provided, what is needed to judge if a valuation is accurate and fair, and what is considered sensitive data.
Clare Whitfield, Head of Surveying and Operations at RVA Surveyors, commented: “The lack of ability to communicate with a VOA caseworker directly from the outset means that no support and guidance from the VOA is given until someone has begun their case.”
Business rates have long been a burden for many companies, particularly in light of current economic pressures. Whitfield continued: “All too often we hear from clients that the convoluted portal called Government Gateway that is used to file cases to reduce business rates, with multiple layers and requirements that are needed to set up the account – all of which you need before claiming your property then engaging the minefield of lodging a case through the Check Challenge Appeal process. This process alone can take up to three years, and a wealth of surveying knowledge that is needed to provide the exacting information and evidence that the VOA require.”
The VOA’s survey is thought to gauge public opinion on whether a complete reform or more frequent valuations would be beneficial to the UK’s business rates tax system. Unfortunately, this could be too late for thousands of businesses that have already closed their doors.
The public are urged to make their voices heard in the survey before the 7th of June.
Derick is an experienced reporter having held multiple senior roles for large publishers across Europe. Specialist subjects include small business and financial emerging markets.