Rates

Occupiers of all commercial properties/installations are liable for payments of rates. Rates are also payable on vacant properties. In these cases the owner/leaseholder is liable. A refund of up to 50% of rates paid on vacant properties may be made if certain conditions are met.

What is the purpose of the grant?

As part of Budget 2024, the Government agreed a package of €257 million for the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) Grant as a vital measure for small and medium businesses. Local Authorities funded by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE), will manage the rollout of the grant to qualifying businesses.

The grant is available to qualifying businesses as a contribution towards the rising costs faced by businesses.  This is not a rates waiver; rates must continue to be paid to your Local Authority.

How much is the grant?

The grant amount depends on the value of the Commercial Rates bill received by an eligible business in 2023.

- For qualifying businesses with a 2023 Commercial Rate bill of <€10,000, the ICOB grant will be paid at a rate of 50% of the business’s Commercial Rate bill for 2023.

- For qualifying businesses with a 2023 Commercial Rate bill of between €10,000 and €30,000, the ICOB grant will be €5,000.

- Businesses with a 2023 Commercial Rates bill greater than €30,000 are not eligible to receive an ICOB grant.

Who can register for the Grant?

Your business must be a commercially trading business currently operating from a property that is commercially rateable and in receipt of a Rates Bill in 2024.

The Local Authority will write to businesses with further information and guidance on how to register for the grant.

How do I qualify to receive the grant?

 To qualify for the grant, you need to meet the following criteria:

1. Commercial Rates Bill: Your business must have received a Commercial Rates Bill equal to or less than €30,000 in 2023.
2. Commercially Trading Business: Your business must currently operate from a property that is commercially rateable. Businesses failing to meet this criteria will be excluded.
3. Exclusions: Public institutions and financial institutions do not qualify (with exceptions for Credit Unions and specific post office services, excluding Company Post Offices).
4. Trading Duration: Your business must have been trading on February 1, 2024, and you must intend to continue trading for at least three months from the date you verify your information.
5. Bank Details: You must provide confirmation of your business bank details, including a bank header from the last 3 months.
6. Rates Compliance: Compliance will be verified by the Rates Department in the Local Authority. Businesses with approved performing payment plans may be deemed compliant.
7. Tax Compliance: Your business must be tax compliant and possess a valid Tax Registration Number (TRN).
8. Property Entry Levy (PEL): If your business operated from a property subject to a Property Entry Levy (PEL) in 2023, you are eligible to receive the grant based on the annualized (grossed-up) value of the PEL bill issued for that property.
9. Vacant Properties: Vacant properties do not qualify.

Please be aware that your local authority reserves the right to reclaim any grant payment found to be incorrect. This includes cases of error by the recipient business or the local authority making the payment, or where a business provides false eligibility declarations.

How can I register for the Grant?

Businesses are encouraged to use the ICOB portal, accessible via www.icob.ie. To complete your application, make sure you have the following information:

1. Council Customer Number and PIN: You will need to provide your council customer number along with the associated PIN. You would have received these in a letter from your local authority.
2. Customer Number: This number is available on your Rate Bill (6 or 7 digit number).
3. Legal Business Name: Your business’s official legal name.
4. Property Address: Include your property address along with the Eircode.
5. Email Address: Provide a valid email address.
6. Contact Number: This may be used to validate your bank account details.
7. Bank Header: A statement showing your bank account details, company or individual name, and date within the last three months.
8. Tax Registration Number (TRN): Ensure you have a valid TRN.
9. Tax Clearance Certificate: Depending on the grant value, a tax clearance certificate may be requested.
10. Employee Count: The number of employees you employ (for statistical purposes, not grant validation).
11. Self-Declaration:
    • Your business is tax compliant.
    • Your business has been commercially operating in 2024, trading since February 1, 2024, and intends to continue trading for at least 3 months following the submission of the self-declaration.

The Portal will be the most efficient mechanism in which to avail of the grant but if you need assistance in relation to the grant, please contact your Rates team.

Can I register per Business Property?

Businesses can register per property within their local authority area. However, each property must meet the specified criteria to qualify for the grant.

How do I register if I have Business Properties in different local authorities?

If your business owns multiple properties in separate local authorities, you should register with the specific local authority where you pay rates for each individual property. Each property must meet the qualifying criteria to be eligible for the grant.

What is the closing date?

The deadline for businesses to confirm eligibility and upload verification details is May 1, 2024. The portal for this process will be accessible starting from March 14, 2024. Prompt registration will expedite your payment, which will commence late April, 2024.

When will I receive my Grant?

After you have submitted your grant application, your local authority kindly requests your patience as they review and validate submissions across the county.

Can I appeal the decision?

If your business’s grant application is denied, you have the option to appeal. To do so, submit a written appeal to your local authority within 7 days of receiving the notification.

For further information, please email ICOB@corkcity.ie

Cork City Council 

Scheme for Abatement of Rates in Respect of Vacant Properties

• In accordance with the Local Government Rates and Other Matters Act, 2019, Cork City Council hereby sets out the scheme for the Abatement of Rates for Vacant Properties. This Scheme is effective from January 1st 2024.
• Vacant properties must meet one of the two following criteria to be eligible for a 50% vacancy reduction in commercial rates:
  • The Property must be vacant and available to let, OR
  • The Property must be undergoing significant renovation works.
• Proof of Vacancy must be submitted. Proof can be:
  •  A letter from a letting agent confirming the address of the property, the owner of the property and the dates of vacancy, OR
  • A letter from a contractor confirming the address of the property, the owner of the property, a description of the works performed and the dates the work was undertaken.

• These proofs must be forwarded to the Rates Office at rates@corkcity.ie. Proofs can also be posted to: Rates Department, Cork City Council, City Hall, Cork City,
• Please attach any other relevant documentation that may be useful in your application i.e. photos of the premises/link to the letting advertisement/letting brochure.
• Vacancy Reductions are generally applied in the last Quarter of the Financial Year.
• The council reserves the right to inspect any properties applying for vacancy and the contact number provided should be that of a person available to grant access to a Council Officer.
• Application form available here: Vacancy-Abatement-Application-Form

Each property has a Rateable Valuation which is assessed by Tailte Éireann (https://www.tailte.ie/), which is a new body formed from the merger of Valuation Office, Property Registration Authority and OSi as of 1st March 2023.

This valuation remains unchanged unless there is a material change in circumstances.

The elected council members set an Annual Rate on Valuation at their budget meeting each year.  The ARV for 2024 is 77.59

The rate bill is calculated by multiplying the Rateable Valuation by the Annual Rate on Valuation.

If you feel that there has been a material change in circumstances which would result in a revision of your rateable valuation you may apply to Tailte Éireann (https://www.tailte.ie/). The fee for this is €250 per account.

Full details are available from Tailte Éireann by e-mail:  info@valoff.ie.

Cork City Council works closely with Tailte Éireann. Information is shared between the two organisations under a Data Sharing Agreement.
This information is shared for Rating purposes only.
The Data Sharing Agreement complies with the GDPR regulations.

• Cash/Cheque/Postal Order payable to Cork City Council at Cash Office, City Hall.
• Standing Order: Contact Rates Office to set up payment.
• Direct Debit: Contact Rates Office to set up payment.
• E.F.T. Our Bank Details are:  A.I.B Bank, 66 South Mall. Bank Account Number: 80916188, Sort Code: 93-41-78, IBAN: IE11 AIBK 9341 7880 9161 88, BIC: AIB KIE 2D
• Payments can be made over the Phone by Credit Card (payments up to €15,000). If you wish to make payment over the phone, please contact the Rates Office at 021-4924484.

Please note the above bank account details are for Rates Payments Only. Please Reference your Rate account number on the Payment advice.

Under the Local Government Rates and other Matters Act 2019 (as amended), Rates are now levied and are payable from January 1st 2024. Under Previous Legislation Commercial Rates were payable in two moieties. From January 2024 there will be a single Rates Charge for the year, payable in full, from January 1st 2024. Rates Bills will issue in March as in previous years.

If you are paying by Direct Debit or Standing Order these arrangements can continue. If you wish to avail of the Direct Debit facility (payments are requested March to December) or wish to enter a pay plan please contact the Rates Office to discuss at 021 492 4484.

Rate Payers should be advised that amendments to the valuation of a property will be effective immediately i.e.:
Revisions;
Additions and Removals; and
Appeals (Valuation Tribunal and Courts).

There will now be provision for pro-rata liability and billing where occupation ends or begins mid-year.

Under Section 10 of the above Act, there is a requirement on rate payers to inform the local authority if incorrect information is being held by Cork City Council. Failure to do so may result in a €5,000 fine.

Under Section 11 of the above Act, Cork City Council must be informed of any change of owner/occupier of a premises. Failure to do so may result in a €5,000 fine and/or a 6 month imprisonment.

The Section 11 form can be accessed here: Section-11-Form.pdf

Under Section 12 of the Act, interest will be applied in 2026 on unpaid 2025 rate bills.

Under Section 13 of the Act, – A liable person who proposes to sell a relevant property is required to pay to the local authority any rates and accrued interest which is due and payable in respect of that property in their capacity as a liable person on or before the completion of the sale. The penalty for contravening this requirement, without reasonable excuse, is being guilty of an offence and being liable, on summary conviction, to a Class A fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both. A Class A fine is a fine not exceeding €5,000.

Under Section 14 of the Act, – Any rates and accrued interest which is due and payable in respect of a property by an owner in their capacity as a liable person remains a charge on the property.

This legislation came into effect on 1st January 2024.
You can contact the Rates Office, Cork City Council, City Hall, Cork or alternatively you can e-mail: rates@corkcity.ie

Notice of the Annual Rate on Valuation for 2024 in the Administrative Area of Cork City Council

Notice of the Annual Rate On Valuation under section 4(1) of the Local Government Rates and other Matters Act 2019 (as amended).

I hereby give notice that at a meeting of Cork City Council on 15th November 2023, the Annual Rate on Valuation for the Financial Year ending 31st December 2024 in respect of relevant properties situated in the administrative area of Cork City Council was set at €77.59.

Under the Local Government Rates and other Matters Act 2019 (as amended), Rates are levied and are payable from January 1st 2024.

Ann Doherty                                                                                      3rd January 2024

Chief Executive

Cork City Council

City Hall

Cork

Rates Office 
Cork City Council, 
City Hall, 
Cork .

Phone: 021-4924484 
E-Mail: rates@corkcity.ie