New valuations for Business Rates should have been arriving in the post over the last month and any inaccuracies need to be appealed by 30th November 2009. If you want to check your valuation, you can do it online by going to the Valuation Office website. Don’t delay though, as this valuation is the basis for business rates over the next five years. It is also worth checking with your local authority if you are entitled to a Small businesses rate reduction of up to 50%. A search on their website ought to be able to give you all the information you need to apply. Here is a sample for our local authority, Lewisham. It’s just one simple form and not completing it will cost you money if you are eligible.

If you still have an outstanding 2008/2009 personal or partnership return yet to be submitted, there are two deadlines that may be relevant to you. Paper tax returns must be submitted before 31st October and HMRC have made clear their position regarding delays due to the postal strike which, as we expected, does not much room for delay. However, if you are an HfM client, your tax return will be submitted electronicaly and so you will have until January 31st for the return to be submitted.