Businesses in Aberdeen are the biggest winners in the 2023 Scottish non-domestic rates revaluation.
Seven out of 10 properties in the Granite City have had a decrease in their rateable value, while there is no change for 14%, and the remaining 16% were landed with rises.
This year’s revaluation updates rateable values in the 2017 valuation roll for Scottish council areas.
The BBC explains that, in the previous revaluation, Aberdeen had been hit by big increases which had reflected a stronger oil and gas economy at that time.
However, properties in Aberdeenshire have not fared as well as the Granite City in the latest revaluation - 48% had rises, 36% saw decreases and there was no change for 16%.
Moray was among the council areas worst hit – with 65% of properties seeing increases in their rateable value, 22% had falls and there was no change for 13%.
Whisky distilleries
A greater value attached to whisky distilleries in Moray explains why valuations there have risen more than most local authority areas.
At this year’s revaluation, the total rateable value on the Scottish valuation roll increased by £390million - a 5.36% increase.
As part of the New Deal for Business announced by First Minister Humza Yousaf, one of the projects being taken on by the advisory group is further reform of business rates.
Retailers have led the campaign for reform, as conventional shops face costs from the current system which are not being required of their online competitors.
There has also been criticism of the system for being inflexible in the face of changing revenue and profitability for businesses.
Click here to read more information from the Scottish Government on the 2023 non-domestic rates revaluation.