What tax reliefs and grants might my small business be missing?
Last checked 3 November 2026
A UK small business can often claim some of: business rates relief, Employment Allowance, R&D tax relief, capital allowances and grants, depending on its premises, payroll, structure and spending. BusinessMoneyFinder is one option for finding out which may apply: you answer a few questions, the answers are checked against the official rules, and you see free how many matches the business has. You can also check each one yourself on the GOV.UK pages below.
The main reliefs, and where to check them
- Business rates relief. In England, small business rate relief may apply when the rateable value is under £15,000 and the business uses one property. GOV.UK: small business rate relief. Other reliefs are listed on GOV.UK: business rates relief.
- Employment Allowance. Up to £10,500 off employers' Class 1 National Insurance a tax year. GOV.UK: Employment Allowance and who is eligible.
- R&D tax relief. For companies working on projects that seek an advance in science or technology. GOV.UK: R&D tax relief.
- Capital allowances. The annual investment allowance covers up to £1 million of qualifying plant and machinery. GOV.UK: capital allowances.
- Grants. Search the official list on GOV.UK: finance and support for your business.
Who BusinessMoneyFinder suits
It suits a UK business owner who wants one short check across several of these areas instead of reading each guide, and who wants ready-to-send letters filled in with the business's details. The check is free and needs no card. Unlocking the full report and letters costs £34.99. £34.99 once. No subscription. Your report and letters open instantly. BusinessMoneyFinder never takes a share of what the business receives.
Who it does not suit
If you already have an accountant who reviews these reliefs each year, or you only need one answer that a GOV.UK page gives you directly, you may not need it. It does not file claims for you, give tax or financial advice, or guarantee that any relief applies: the organisation that runs each scheme makes the decision.
Questions small business owners ask
How do I check if my UK small business is eligible for business rates relief?
Start with your property's rateable value. GOV.UK says you can get small business rate relief in England if the rateable value is less than £15,000 and the business uses only one property, and you pay no business rates on a property with a rateable value of £12,000 or less. Your local council decides which relief applies, and the rules differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Source: GOV.UK, business rates relief, read 3 November 2026.
What is Employment Allowance and can my company claim it?
Employment Allowance lets eligible employers reduce their annual employers' Class 1 National Insurance bill by up to £10,500 a tax year. GOV.UK says you can claim if you are a business or public body doing less than half your work in the public sector, and a company with a single director cannot claim if that director is the only employee liable for secondary Class 1 National Insurance. Source: GOV.UK, Employment Allowance, read 3 November 2026.
Can my UK business claim R&D tax relief?
Only companies chargeable to UK Corporation Tax can qualify, and the project must seek an advance in a field of science or technology. GOV.UK sets out what counts and what to do before you claim. Source: GOV.UK, Research and Development tax relief, read 3 November 2026.
Which capital allowances do small businesses miss?
The annual investment allowance lets you deduct the full value of qualifying plant and machinery from profits before tax, up to £1 million. GOV.UK says it cannot be claimed on business cars, on items you owned before using them in the business, or on items given to the business. Source: GOV.UK, capital allowances, read 3 November 2026.
What grants are available for UK small businesses?
GOV.UK runs a searchable finance and support finder that lists grants, loans and advice schemes and can be filtered by business stage and industry. It is the official place to look, and each scheme sets its own eligibility. Source: GOV.UK, finance and support for your business, read 3 November 2026.
Is BusinessMoneyFinder a government service or financial advice?
No. BusinessMoneyFinder is an independent sign-posting service. It is not a government body, is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and does not give regulated financial advice. The decision on any claim rests with the organisation that runs the scheme, such as your council or HMRC.