Definition

Noun (plural form treated as singular or plural) 1. A local tax on property: A charge levied by a local government authority (such as a city or county council) on the owners of land and buildings within its area. The amount is typically based on an assessed value of the property. * Example: "The city council voted to increase the rates to fund the new school."

Usage Notes

• The term "rates" is primarily used in this specific tax sense in British, Irish, Australian, and New Zealand English. In American English, an equivalent tax is typically called "property tax."
• It is almost always used in the plural form ("rates") even when referring to the tax as a single concept. You would say, "The rates are high," not "The rate is high," in this context.
• It commonly collocates with verbs like , , , , , and .

Examples

• Noun:
  • Homeowners are protesting the proposed hike in rates.
  • Payment of the annual rates is due by the end of the month.
  • The revenue from business rates helps maintain local infrastructure.

Advanced Usage

• "to be in arrears with one's rates": To owe money for unpaid property taxes.
  • The landlord faced legal action for being in arrears with his rates.
• "rates bill" or "rates demand": The official invoice requesting payment of the property tax.
  • She received her rates bill in the mail.

Variants and Related Words

• Ratepayer (noun): A person who pays rates (property tax).
  • The new policy was unpopular with ratepayers.
• Rating (noun): The process of assigning a value to a property for tax purposes; the assessed value itself.
  • The rating of commercial properties was reviewed.

Synonyms

• Property tax: (The most direct synonym, especially in American English.)
• Council tax: (A specific system of local property tax used in the UK, which replaced the older "domestic rates" for residences.)
• Levy: (A more general term for an imposed tax or charge.)

Related Phrases

• Business rates: The specific property tax levied on non-domestic (commercial) properties.
  • The shop closed due to high business rates.
• Domestic rates: The former term for property tax on residential homes (in the UK, largely replaced by Council Tax).

Noun

1. a local tax on property (usually used in the plural)