Definition of ratepayer in English English dictionary
In the United States, a ratepayer is a person whose property is served by an electricity, water, or telephone company, and who pays for these services. someone who pays taxes that are used to provide local services
In Britain, a ratepayer was a person who owned or rented property and therefore had to pay local taxes called rates. The citizens of a district are sometimes still called the ratepayers when their interests and the use of local taxes are being considered