Northern Ireland’s Department of Finance has launched a public consultation in an attempt to make the country’s business rates system “effective and fair”.

houses

The 2019 Review of Business Rates is due to last eight weeks, with the report set to be published in spring 2020.

Business rates contribute over £655m to the overall rates income in Northern Ireland.

Permanent secretary Sue Gray said: “My department has been working with a wide range of stakeholders including experts in urban regeneration, taxation and the high street to help inform the scope of this review and the consultation document which we are launching today.

“This review is about looking at the current position and making recommendations to ensure that our business rates system is effective and fair while raising the funds needed to support Northern Ireland’s key services.

“The business rates system, together with its suite of support measures, needs to be positioned to respond to changing marketplaces and local economic conditions. What we need now is for business ratepayers, business and trade organisations, local government and all interested parties to engage with us and put forward their perspectives, ideas and opinions.”

The Business Rates Review team will be attending a series of events organised by councils, chambers of commerce and other organisations across the region as part of the public consultation process which ends on 11 November.

The consultation document can be found in full here.