SMEs and finance teams in England and Wales have a firm cut-off: you have until 31 March 2026 to request changes to your current (2023 list) business rates valuation. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is urging ratepayers to act early because the admin alone can take time. (gov.uk)

If you have not used your business rates valuation account recently-or never set one up-allow up to 15 working days to register, verify and claim your property before you can submit anything. That delay has caught some firms out, so build it into March cashflow planning. (gov.uk)

What should you check? Start with the factual record the VOA holds on your property: floor area, layout changes, use, and any physical alterations. If something is wrong, correct it. Be aware that outcomes can move both ways; the VOA notes that changes to a 2023 valuation may increase or decrease your rateable value and can influence future valuations too. (gov.uk)

Why it matters for cash: your rates bill broadly moves in line with your rateable value. On an RV of £60,000, a 10% correction would typically cut the gross bill by roughly 10%-about £3,000 a year before reliefs. For multi‑site operators, even small percentage adjustments per site add up to meaningful working-capital headroom.

Access is via Government Gateway or One Login. If your Government Gateway ID has been inactive for three years or more, it may have been deleted for security reasons and you’ll need to create a new account and reclaim your property-again, allow up to 15 working days. Keep recent leases, plans and photos to hand to speed verification. (gov.uk)

From 1 April 2026, a new rating list and new valuations take effect. At that point, you’ll only be able to request changes to the new (2026) valuation because the 2023 list closes-a normal, legally defined part of the system to lock in final records. (gov.uk)

There are limited exceptions worth knowing. If you start a Check before 1 April 2026, related actions can continue. The VOA can still correct mistakes on the 2023 list up to 31 March 2027, and if you’re challenging due to a tribunal or court decision, you must make a Check by 30 September 2026. (valuationoffice.blog.gov.uk)

You can preview your future rateable value without logging in using the ‘find a business rates valuation’ service on GOV.UK-useful for scenario‑testing April budgets. For questions about bills, reliefs or payment schedules, your local council remains the first port of call. (gov.uk)

If you’re appointing an agent, the VOA says you can manage the process yourself but provides official guidance on choosing an agent if you prefer representation-use that to avoid percentage‑of‑saving deals that muddy incentives. Either way, set internal deadlines well before mid‑March to leave room for verification and any follow‑ups. (valuationoffice.blog.gov.uk)

Housekeeping note for 2026: the VOA will be integrated into HMRC on 1 April 2026. The agency says this won’t affect how you access or use the service, including your valuation account. In other words, the route to challenge remains the same over the deadline period. (gov.uk)