A leaflet has been produced to encourage small business owners in the North West to act upon their eligibility for small business rates relief, which would allow businesses to claim as much as 50% of their tax back from the government. The leaflet, produced using flyer printing, tells Preston businesses how they could be better off if they took advantage of rates relief.
It is estimated that around 41% of businesses who are eligible for the tax relief programme actually take advantage of it, and around 900 small businesses in Preston are currently missing out on what could add up to be a significant amount of money. The chairperson of the Federation of Small Businesses for Lancashire, Cuthbert Culshaw, spoke about this, saying:
“It’s been around for a few years now so I’m surprised there are so many not claiming. I can only assume it’s a lack of awareness. The FSB has been campaigning for it to be automatically applied by local authorities but most don’t and the onus is on business owners to claim it. Business rates are a significant cost to small businesses and it’s definitely a benefit of value to them. I would encourage any small business owner to claim.”
More information can be found on the leaflet or by contacting the council directly.