Poll: Are councils right to start hiking business property rates this year?

Commercial rates have been on hold or fallen in many regions since the recession.

By Conor McMahon Deputy editor, Fora

FORA REPORTED LAST week that businesses in many urban areas face an increase in commercial rates of up to 5%.

Commercial rates, a property tax on business premises, are one of the main sources for local government funding.

They are calculated using a multiplier set by the council to a value for the property determined by the Commissioner of Valuation.

Councils for Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Cork City and Limerick have all approved hikes in commercial rates of varying degrees for this year.

Many argue that rates have been on hold – or have, in some cases fallen – since the recession hit, but businesses are now able to pay increased levies as the economy recovers.

However, adding to the burden of operating costs for SMEs, which are responsible for employing a large of the state’s workforce, is unlikely to go down well with business owners.

With that in mind, we’re asking Fora readers this week: Are councils right to start hiking business property rates this year?