Non-domestic rates reform: consultation

Annex A

Glossary

Appeal - The valuation appeals system allows a ratepayer to challenge the Assessors rateable value for their property. This has various stages, but initial appeals are heard by local panels.

Assessor - An independent public official who determines the rateable value of all properties entered on the valuation roll, along with other functions. Assessors must be members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and work under a non-Statutory umbrella body called the Scottish Assessors Association.

Council Tax - a property tax levied on domestic property and used to fund local services.

Non-domestic rates - A property based tax, also known as business rates, levied on non-domestic property that is used to fund local services provided by the council, including those provided to businesses. The rating system is administered by councils.

Rateable value ( RV) - For most property this is the Assessor's determination of one year's annual rent on the open market. This is determined by looking at rents for similar or nearby properties.

Ratepayer - Anyone who is liable for rates on a non-domestic property. Ratepayers include businesses, public sector, third sector and citizens.

Relief - A discount/ reduction applied to the rates bill of eligible properties. Most reliefs are funded by the Scottish Government, although councils do have discretion to create their own reliefs.

Revaluation - All properties are reassessed by the Assessors at a revaluation, the purpose of which is to redistribute the tax based on more recent market conditions. The last revaluation was in 2017, the next planned revaluation will be in 2022.

Tone date - The date at which all properties are valued by the Assessor. Currently this is 2 years before the revaluation date. Using a single date for all properties ensures fairness and allows the Assessor sufficient time to collect evidence from ratepayers. The Tone date for the 2017 revaluation was 1 April 2015.

Valuation Roll - A record of all non-domestic (business) premises valued by the Assessor, including their address, rateable value and other related data. Valuation rolls are searchable online at www.saa.gov.uk