Property Levy

What is the Property Levy?

The property levy is a charge on newly valued commercial property which is entered on the Rate Book for the first time. The Property Levy was introduced by the Local Government (Business Improvement Districts) Act, 2006. 

How is the charge calculated?

The calculation is similar to that of Commercial Rates, but the levy is charged only from the date of Valuation to end of year. Thus, if the date of Valuation of a new building is 1st May, the levy will be applied from 1st May to 31st December.

Example:

Levy Calculation:

What happens if the Rateable Valuation changes on appeal? 

The bill must be paid on the basis of the initial assessment. However, if the Rateable Valuation is altered on appeal, the levy will be adjusted accordingly. Resulting overpayments will be refunded or additional payments requested, as appropriate. 

Who is liable for the charge?

The occupier is liable to pay the levy. If the property is vacant it is the owner who is liable. 

If the property is unoccupied, is the charge payable?

Yes, but the levy is reduced by 50% if all three of the following conditions are met,

a)      The property was unoccupied when the rateable valuation was assessed, and,

b)        No person other than the owner is entitled to occupy, and,

c)        The owner was bona fide attempting to let the property.

If all three conditions apply, the owner should contact the Collection Office immediately on receipt of a levy bill - contact details below.

When is the levy to be paid?

The levy should be paid in full within 21 days of the issue of a bill by Cork County Council.

Is the levy payable as well as the Commercial Rate?

Commercial Rates and Levy will not be charged on any particular premises for the same period. 

The levy will apply from the effective date of valuation of the property until the end of that year.  In most situations, commercial rate will be charged from the start of the following year.  However, in rare cases the levy may be charged for the following year instead of Rate.

Can I pay my levy electronically/by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)?

Yes, you can pay your levy electronically/ by EFT. Cork County Council’s Bank Account details for levy payments are as follows:

**The above Bank Account is for receipt of Levy payments only. It is not to be used for any Rates payments to Cork County Council**

When paying by electronic transfer you must tag the payment with the levy account number(s).  You will generally enter this as the ‘Narrative’ to appear on Cork County Council’s Bank Statement and your own. Your Levy Account No. appears on your Levy Bill in the form of 7 digits followed by letters LV followed by 2 digits e.g. 6723456LV99

NB: Failure to reference the full correct levy account number may result in delays in a payment being credited to your levy account.

Remittance advice should also be sent to the Rate Collector, Cork County Council, Collection Office, Floor 6, County Hall, Cork or by email to collection@corkcoco.ie.

I do not have access to EFT payments, can I pay my levy in other ways?

If you are not paying the levy by EFT you may pay using one of the following payment methods:
• Credit/Debit Card - a pay by phone facility is available on 021 4285514, from 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday
• Standing Order Form (pdf)
• In person at the Payments Office, Ground Floor, County Hall, Cork (located behind the Switchboard/Reception Desk)

Whichever method of payment is used, the levy account number(s) must be quoted in full. Your Levy Account No. appears on your Levy Bill in the form of 7 digits followed by letters LV followed by 2 digits e.g. 6723456LV99

NB: Failure to quote the full correct levy account number may result in delays in a payment being credited to your levy account.

Disclaimer: The Information provided above is for guidance purposes only, and is not intended as a definitive legal interpretation of the relevant governing legislation.