Article: Business rates account enquiries Article Body Business rate bills are issued in March each year for the financial year ahead, 1 April to 31 March. New and amended bills may also be issued in circumstances where an account adjustment is required. If you have not received a bill please contact the Rates Office, see our contact details below. For more information on billing for rates visit annual notification of business rates. You can, depending on entitlement, benefit from a number of reliefs and exemptions and reduce the amount payable on your business rates bill. For more information visit business rates reductions. Moving into or vacating business premises If you are moving into a property, it is important to contact us as soon as possible. We will take details of the property that you are occupying and the dates of occupation and also answer any queries you may have. If you vacate a property, it is important to notify us immediately. The business rates charge will be amended to the date of vacation and any overpayment can be refunded. If recovery action has started the debt outstanding can also be amended. Methods of payment The council provides a number of methods for paying business rates. Direct Debit You can pay by direct debit. Direct debit is the easiest and most convenient way to pay business rates because your bank or building society will automatically deduct payments from your accounts. Payments can be made over twelve months on the 5th of each month from April to March. Alternatively payment can be made over ten months from April to January on either the 12th, 18th or 25th of the month. The direct debit scheme operates under the guarantee outlined on the direct debit application form. The Direct Debit Guarantee This Guarantee is offered by all banks and building societies that accept instructions to pay direct debits. If there are any changes to the amount, date or frequency of your direct debit, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council will notify you ten working days in advance of your account being debited or as otherwise agreed. If you request Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council to collect a payment, confirmation of the amount and date will be given to you at the time of the request. If an error is made in the payment of your direct debit by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council or your bank or building society you are guaranteed a full and immediate refund from your bank or building society. If you receive a refund you are not entitled to, you must pay it back when Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council asks you to. You can cancel a direct debit at any time by simply contacting your bank or building society. Written confirmation may be required. Please also notify us. You will remain in control of your payments, your direct debit can be cancelled at any time if you wish to pay by another method and you will get a full refund in the unlikely event of an error happening. It is your responsibility to ensure that your payments are maintained by your bank or building society. You can download a copy of our direct debit form or pick up a direct debit leaflet at your local Barnsley Connects office. Completed forms should be sent to: Benefits, Taxation and Welfare Rights Division, PO Box 634, Barnsley, S70 9GG. Alternatively you can contact Rates office Barnsley 01226 774765 if you wish to set up payment over the phone. Debit card You can pay by debit card using the internet by accessing our paying for a service page. You can also pay by debit card by telephoning the councils automated telephone payment (ATP) system on 01226 779397. This facility is available every day (other than between 6.30pm and 7pm daily). You will be asked to quote the account number shown on the front of your bill so please ensure that you have your bank details at hand when making payment. Payment by credit card is not accepted. Barnsley Connects Office Payment can be made by cash, cheque or debit card at Barnsley Connects Civic Service Centre, Eldon Street, Barnsley, S70 2JL. Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Payments by post You can send your payment to the council by cheque. Cheques must be crossed and made payable to Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council and sent to: Executive Director of Finance & Property, PO Box 634, Barnsley, S70 9GG. You must quote your account number and your name and address on the back of the cheque. Post-dated cheques will not be accepted. Bills must not be sent with postal payments and receipts will only be issued where payment is accompanied by a stamped addressed envelope. You should allow at least 5 working days for your payment to reach us. Standing orders If you would like to pay direct from your bank or building society but do not want to pay by direct debit, you can make payments by standing order. To do so you must give instructions to your bank or building society of the payments to be made to Barnsley Council. Please contact the Rates Office on 01226 774765 / 774763 for further details on this method of payment. Viewing your business rates account online You can access details of your customer account online although this service is available to registered users only. Registration is simple and once registered, you will be able to see your business rates balance and statements online. To register to access your account online please e-mail: selfservice@barnsley.gov.uk Contact details Enquiries and requests for application forms can be made as follows: email: bentax@barnsley.gov.uk Telephone the Rates Office: 01226 774765 / 774763 Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 4.30pm Fax: 01226 773739 By writing or sending documents to: Benefits, Taxation and Welfare Rights Division, PO Box 634, Barnsley, S70 9GG. Click to view your business rates account online if you already have a passnumber. Additional information To learn more about our compliments, comments and complaints process please see general complaints. Application forms The following business rate relief application forms are available electronically: Application for small business rate relief Application for relief charitable and other organisations Occupied property claim for relief on the grounds of hardship Unoccupied property claim for relief on the grounds of hardship Village shop relief scheme application for discretionary rate relief Village shop relief scheme application for mandatory rate relief Please return your completed application to: Benefits, Taxation and Welfare Rights Division, PO Box 634, Barnsley, S70 9GG.