The Non-Domestic Rates (Preparation for Digital Services) Bill has been introduced in the House of Commons.

The Bill enables HM Revenue and Customs to expend its resources on beginning to design and build a new digital service for business rates with a planned implementation date of 2024. At Budget 2016, the Government made a commitment that local authority business rate systems will be linked to HMRC digital tax accounts so that businesses can manage their rates bills in one place alongside other taxes. Further details of the Government’s response to its 2016 consultation on business rate reform can be found here.

The press release notes that “the implementation of any proposed reforms will require further legislation at a later date and the Government plans to engage closely with local government and businesses in developing proposals”.

A fact sheet can be found here.

Currently, the legislation applies to England only.