An Ennis Business owner has hit out after a commercial rates revision has resulted in a 333% increase in their annual payment.
The Valuation Office is currently posting proposed valuation certificates to companies in Clare, which the local authority will use to calculate commercial rates.
The Valuation Office is carrying out a national revaluation programme, which is the first examination of commercial and industrial properties in all rating authority areas in over 160 years.
It’ll be carried out in a phased basis, with the latest part – REVAL 2023 – looking at rateable properties in the Local Authority areas of Clare, Donegal, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Galway, Kerry and Mayo.
Proposed valuations have been sent to businesses here and these will take effect from January 2024, but ratepayers can make representations to the Valuation Office up until November 1st this year.
Clare County Council says over 80% of commercial rate customers here currently pay less than €5,000, however councillors have been told that 30% of businesses in the county will receive an increased revaluation rate.
The Valuation Office says that as of now, they estimate that more than 60% of ratepayers in Clare will see a reduction in their rates liability, when the project is complete.
However, Madden’s Furniture in Ennis, which celebrated 45 years in business last month, have received a rates revision which they say will result in their payment jumping by a staggering 333%.
Aoife Madden says their only choice now is to engage in an appeals process, which could take anything up to 24 months.
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REVAL 2023 is hosting a number of walk-in clinics this week to advise businesses on ensuring their rates reflect the current business environment.
The clinics are taking place in Ennis today, Ennistymon tomorrow, Killaloe on Thursday and Shannon on Friday.
