Calculate your council tax bill based on property band, location, and applicable discounts
| Band | Property Value (1991 prices) | Ratio to Band D | Typical Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Up to £40,000 | 6/9 (67%) | £1,377 |
| B | £40,001 - £52,000 | 7/9 (78%) | £1,606 |
| C | £52,001 - £68,000 | 8/9 (89%) | £1,836 |
| D | £68,001 - £88,000 | 9/9 (100%) | £2,065 |
| E | £88,001 - £120,000 | 11/9 (122%) | £2,524 |
| F | £120,001 - £160,000 | 13/9 (144%) | £2,983 |
| G | £160,001 - £320,000 | 15/9 (167%) | £3,442 |
| H | Over £320,000 | 18/9 (200%) | £4,130 |
If you're on a low income or claiming benefits, you may qualify for Council Tax Support (previously Council Tax Benefit) which can reduce your bill by up to 100%. Contact your local council to apply.
Valuation Date: April 1991 property values
Average Band D: £2,171/year (2025/26)
Range: Cheapest: Westminster £899/year | Most Expensive: Nottingham £2,649/year
Variation: Up to 300% difference between councils!
Valuation Date: April 1991 property values (same as England)
Average Band D: £1,417/year (2025/26) - **LOWER than England**
Key Difference: Administered by Scottish Assessors (not Valuation Office Agency)
Note: Scotland generally has lower council tax than England
Valuation Date: April 2003 property values (NOT 1991!)
Average Band D: £2,008/year (2025/26)
Extra Band: Band I for properties over £424,000
| Band A | Up to £44,000 |
| Band D | £123,001 - £162,000 |
| Band I | Over £424,000 (Wales only!) |
Not Council Tax: Northern Ireland uses **"Domestic Rates"** - a completely different system
Based on: Capital value of property (not bands)
Administered by: Land & Property Services (LPS)
You can challenge your council tax band if you believe it's wrong. However, be careful - the band can go UP as well as down during a review!
⚠️ Warning: Band can increase if reassessed - you'll owe backdated difference!
From 2024, councils have increased powers to charge **premiums** on empty properties and second homes. You could pay MORE than 100% council tax!
| Empty 1-2 years | Up to 100% premium (200% total) |
| Empty 2-5 years | Up to 200% premium (300% total!) |
| Empty 5+ years | Up to 300% premium (400% total!!) |
Example: Band D £2,000/year × 300% premium = £8,000/year!
Councils can charge up to **100% premium** on second homes (homes that aren't your main residence).
Example: If Band D is £2,000, second home could cost £4,000 (100% + 100% premium)
Note: Varies by council - some charge 0%, others charge full 100% premium
How it works: If you're the ONLY adult (18+) living in your property = automatic 25% Council Tax discount! Applies to: Owner-occupiers, private renters, council tenants. Who counts as "not counting" for single person discount: Full-time students, student nurses, apprentices, live-in carers (caring for someone with disability), people with severe mental impairment, 18-19 year olds in full-time education, diplomats. Real UK example (2025/26): Emma lives alone in Manchester Band C property. Full Council Tax (Band C Manchester): £2,012/year. Emma applies for Single Person Discount online (takes 5 minutes). Council Tax with 25% discount: £2,012 × 75% = £1,509/year. Emma saves: £2,012 - £1,509 = £503/year automatically! Over 10 years: £503 × 10 = £5,030 saved just by claiming! How to claim (2025/26): Apply online via your local council website (search "[Your Council] single person discount"). Provide proof: utility bills, tenancy agreement, passport. Discount applies from application date (backdated up to 6 months if you prove you lived alone). WARNING: If your circumstances change (partner moves in, adult child turns 18 and isn't a student), you MUST notify council within 21 days or face £70 penalty + backdated charges!
How it works: Council Tax Support (formerly Council Tax Benefit) = means-tested reduction for low-income households. Can reduce bill by 10-100% depending on income, savings, household size! Who qualifies (2025/26): Receiving benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, JSA, ESA). Low income (even if working - "working tax credit"). Savings under £16,000 (£10,000 for some councils). Pension age (can get up to 100% reduction). Working age with children/disabilities (usually up to 75-100% reduction depending on council). Council Tax Support rates vary by council! Some councils offer 100% reduction (pay £0), others cap at 75-90% (you pay 10-25%). Real UK disaster (missing out on £2,000/year): Sarah (single parent, working part-time £15,000/year, receiving Universal Credit) lives in Birmingham Band B property. Full Council Tax (Band B Birmingham): £1,677/year = £140/month. Sarah struggles to pay, gets into arrears, receives court summons (£70 fee). Sarah DIDN'T KNOW she qualified for Council Tax Support! Sarah applies for Council Tax Support (10 minutes online). Birmingham Council calculates: Sarah qualifies for 85% reduction! New Council Tax bill: £1,677 × 15% = £251/year = £21/month. Sarah saves: £1,677 - £251 = £1,426/year! Arrears wiped, court summons cancelled. How to apply (2025/26): Search "[Your Council] Council Tax Support" or "Council Tax Reduction". Apply online with proof of income (payslips, Universal Credit statement, bank statements). Decision within 14-28 days. Backdated up to 6 months if you prove eligibility!
How it works: If a disabled person lives in the property AND the property has specific features for their disability = Council Tax band reduced by ONE BAND (e.g., Band D pays Band C rate = save £300-£400/year)! Eligibility criteria (ALL must apply): (1) A disabled person (adult or child) must live there as their main home. (2) The property must have at least ONE of these features: Additional bathroom/kitchen for disabled person, extra room (other than bathroom/kitchen) for disabled person to use wheelchair or meet disability needs, enough floor space for wheelchair use indoors. Real UK example (2025/26): David (wheelchair user) lives in Leeds Band D house with ground-floor bedroom/bathroom extension built for wheelchair access. Full Council Tax (Band D Leeds): £2,226/year. David applies for Disabled Band Reduction (council home visit to verify adaptations). Approved: Band D reduced to Band C rate. Band C Leeds: £1,957/year. David saves: £2,226 - £1,957 = £269/year. Over 10 years: £269 × 10 = £2,690 saved! How to apply (2025/26): Contact council Revenues/Benefits department (search "[Your Council] Disabled Band Reduction"). Provide evidence: DLA/PIP award letter, occupational therapist report, photos of adaptations. Council may visit property to verify. Reduction backdated to when disabled person moved in OR when adaptations completed (up to 6 months)!
How it works: Council Tax bands based on 1991 property values (England) or 2003 values (Wales) - but 25% of UK properties in WRONG BAND (too high) = you're overpaying £300-£600+/year! When you can challenge band (2025/26): Just moved into property (within 6 months). Property changed (e.g., demolition, split into flats, merged with next door). Council altered local list. Comparable properties nearby in lower bands. Council Tax bands (England - based on 1991 values): Band A: up to £40,000 (1991 value). Band B: £40,001-£52,000. Band C: £52,001-£68,000. Band D: £68,001-£88,000. Band E: £88,001-£120,000. Band F: £120,001-£160,000. Band G: £160,001-£320,000. Band H: over £320,000. Real UK example (2025/26): Tom buys house in Birmingham, receives Council Tax bill for Band D (£1,881/year). Tom checks neighbours: identical houses on same street are Band C (£1,672/year). Tom challenges band via Valuation Office Agency (VOA). Process: (1) Check your band: gov.uk/council-tax-bands. (2) Compare neighbours: Check 5-10 comparable properties (same size, type, condition) on VOA website. (3) Submit challenge: If comparable properties are lower band, submit "challenge" form to VOA (free, 10 minutes online). (4) VOA reviews: Decision within 3-6 months. Result: VOA agrees Tom's house should be Band C (identical to neighbours). New Council Tax: Band C Birmingham = £1,672/year. Tom saves: £1,881 - £1,672 = £209/year. Backdated refund: £209 × 2 years = £418 refund from council! Over 10 years: £209 × 10 = £2,090 total savings!
How it works: Full-time students are "disregarded" for Council Tax. If ALL adults (18+) in property are full-time students = property exempt from Council Tax (pay £0)! If SOME adults are students (mixed household) = students disregarded, non-students pay. Who qualifies as full-time student (2025/26): Enrolled on course lasting 1+ years, studying 21+ hours/week (24+ weeks/year). Includes: Undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees, full-time college courses (A-Levels, BTECs if 21+ hours/week), student nurses, some apprenticeships. Real UK example (2025/26): Scenario 1 (all students - £0 Council Tax): 4 students share house in Manchester Band C. Full Council Tax (Band C Manchester): £2,012/year. All 4 students provide Student Certificates from university to council. Council Tax bill: £0 (100% exempt). Students save: £2,012/year = £503 each! Scenario 2 (mixed household - 1 non-student pays): 3 students + 1 working professional share same Band C house. 3 students are "disregarded", professional is ONLY adult counted. Professional gets Single Person Discount (25% off). Council Tax: £2,012 × 75% = £1,509/year. Professional pays: £1,509/year (students pay £0). How to claim (2025/26): Get Student Certificate from university (shows enrolment, course length, study hours). Submit to council online or by post. Exemption applies from course start date. MUST notify council when course ends OR when you graduate - or face backdated charges + penalties!
How it works: Empty/unfurnished properties get Council Tax discounts for limited periods. Discount rates vary by council! Empty property discount tiers (2025/26 - varies by council): Tier 1 (completely empty + unfurnished): England: Most councils offer 0-100% discount for 1-3 months. Some councils (like Westminster) give 100% discount for 1 month, then 0% (full charge). Other councils (like Birmingham) give 100% discount for 6 months, then full charge. Scotland: 50% discount for up to 6 months. Wales: No discount (pay 100% immediately) - BUT 100% premium (pay 200%!) if empty 1+ year. Tier 2 (furnished but unoccupied - "second homes"): England/Scotland: Usually 0% discount (pay 100% from day 1) - some councils charge 100-200% PREMIUM! Wales: 100% premium (pay 200% Council Tax!) from day 1 if not main home. Real UK example (2025/26): Tom moves out of Birmingham Band C property (£1,672/year) on 1 January 2025 to new house. Old house completely empty + unfurnished, waiting to sell. Birmingham Council: 100% Council Tax discount for first 6 months empty. Jan-June 2025 (6 months): Council Tax = £0 (100% discount). July 2025 onwards: Full charge £1,672/year = £836 for 6 months. Tom saves: £836 in first 6 months by claiming empty property discount! How to claim (2025/26): Notify council property is empty (online or phone - takes 5 minutes). Provide proof: final utility bills, confirmation of forwarding address. Discount applied automatically if eligible. WARNING: Discount only for genuinely empty properties - if property furnished or you're doing renovations, rules differ!
How it works: Most councils offer 10 or 12 monthly payments (NOT just 10 months February-November). Some councils offer small discounts (£10-£30/year) for paying by Direct Debit. Better cash flow = avoid arrears = avoid court summons (£70+ fees) + bailiffs (£310+ fees)! Payment options (2025/26): Option 1 (standard - 10 months): Pay February-November (10 payments). December-January: no payments. Example: £2,000/year = £200/month × 10 months. Option 2 (12 months - better cash flow): Pay January-December (12 payments). Available by request at most councils. Example: £2,000/year = £166.67/month × 12 months = £33.33/month LESS per payment! Real UK example (2025/26): Sarah (Band D Birmingham £1,881/year) struggles to pay £188/month (10-month plan) = misses 2 payments. Council sends reminder letters (£25 fee), then court summons (£70 fee), then bailiffs (£310 fee). Total fees: £25 + £70 + £310 = £405 in penalty fees! Better approach: Sarah switches to 12-month plan. New payment: £1,881 ÷ 12 = £157/month (£31/month less!). Sets up Direct Debit (council gives £20/year discount for DD). Final cost: £1,881 - £20 = £1,861/year = £155/month. Sarah saves: £405 in penalties avoided + £20 DD discount + easier cash flow! How to switch to 12-month plan (2025/26): Contact council Revenues department (online, phone, or email). Request 12-month payment plan instead of 10-month. Set up Direct Debit to avoid missed payments. Takes 5 minutes, saves £100-£400/year in avoided penalties!
The mistake: Living alone but NOT claiming 25% Single Person Discount = overpaying £400-£600+/year for years! Why it happens: "Didn't know it existed / Thought council would apply automatically / Too lazy to apply." Real UK disaster (2025/26): James lived alone in London Band D property for 5 years. Full Council Tax (Band D Westminster): £1,451/year. James paid full amount every year (£1,451 × 5 years = £7,255 paid). James's friend mentions Single Person Discount at pub. James applies (takes 5 minutes online). Westminster Council confirms: James qualified all 5 years, backdated refund up to 6 months. Backdated refund (6 months only): £1,451 × 25% × 0.5 years = £181. Total James wasted (4.5 years not refunded): £1,451 × 25% × 4.5 years = £1,633 LOST! New bill going forward: £1,451 × 75% = £1,088/year. James saves £363/year now - but wasted £1,633 by not claiming earlier! How to avoid: Apply for Single Person Discount IMMEDIATELY when you start living alone (council website, 5 minutes). Check eligibility: You're the only adult (18+) in the property. Students, carers, severely mentally impaired people don't count as adults. Backdated up to 6 months - DON'T WAIT!
The mistake: Being eligible for Council Tax Support (50-100% reduction) but NOT applying = struggle to pay full bill = arrears = court summons (£70) + bailiffs (£310+) = waste £1,500-£2,500! Why it happens: "Didn't know it existed / Thought I wouldn't qualify / Too proud to claim benefits / Application too complicated." Real UK disaster (2025/26): Lisa (single parent, Universal Credit recipient, part-time income £12,000/year) lives in Leeds Band B property. Full Council Tax (Band B Leeds): £1,739/year = £145/month. Lisa struggles to pay, misses 3 payments (£435 arrears). Council sends reminder letters, then final notice. Lisa ignores (doesn't know what to do). Council obtains court "liability order" (£70 court fee added). Arrears now: £435 + £70 = £505. Bailiffs instructed (£310 enforcement fee added). Total debt: £505 + £310 = £815! Lisa panics, pays using credit card @ 24% APR. Credit card interest over 12 months: £815 × 24% = £196 interest! Total cost: £815 + £196 = £1,011 wasted! What Lisa SHOULD have done: Applied for Council Tax Support (Leeds offers up to 91.5% reduction for UC recipients). Lisa's income/savings qualified for 85% reduction. New bill: £1,739 × 15% = £261/year = £22/month. Lisa would have saved: £1,739 - £261 = £1,478/year + avoided £576 in court/bailiff/interest fees! Total wasted: £1,478 + £576 = £2,054!
The mistake: Paying Band D rate when property should be Band C (or Band C when should be Band B) for 10-20+ years = waste £3,000-£12,000 over lifetime! Why it happens: "Assumed band was correct / Didn't know I could challenge / Too complicated to bother." Real UK disaster (2025/26): Mark buys house in Manchester Band D (£2,264/year) in 2010. Mark pays full Band D rate for 14 years (2010-2024). Total paid: £2,264 × 14 years = £31,696. In 2024, Mark's neighbour (identical house, same street) mentions they challenged their band and won - reduced from Band D to Band C. Mark checks VOA website: neighbour's IDENTICAL house is Band C (£2,012/year)! Mark submits challenge to VOA (free, 10 minutes online). VOA investigates: Agrees Mark's house should be Band C (identical to neighbour). New rate: Band C = £2,012/year. Annual saving: £2,264 - £2,012 = £252/year. BUT: Challenge only backdated to date of submission (not 14 years!). Mark wasted: £252 × 14 years = £3,528 by not challenging earlier! Going forward: Mark saves £252/year. Over next 10 years: £252 × 10 = £2,520 saved. How to avoid: Check your band on gov.uk/council-tax-bands when you move in. Compare 5-10 similar properties (same street, size, type) on VOA website. If comparables are lower band, submit challenge immediately (free, 10 minutes). Don't wait 14 years like Mark!
The mistake: Moving to new property but NOT notifying old council = charged for BOTH properties (old + new) until you notify = waste £500-£2,000! Why it happens: "Forgot to notify council / Thought landlord/buyer would do it / Busy with move." Real UK disaster (2025/26): Emma moves from Manchester flat (Band B £1,787/year) to Birmingham house (Band C £1,672/year) on 1 May 2024. Emma notifies Birmingham Council (starts paying Band C from May). Emma FORGETS to notify Manchester Council she moved out! Manchester continues charging Emma for old flat (Band B £1,787/year). May-October 2024 (6 months): Emma paying BOTH councils! Manchester: £1,787 ÷ 12 × 6 = £894. Birmingham: £1,672 ÷ 12 × 6 = £836. Total paid: £894 + £836 = £1,730 for 6 months (double-paying £894 for Manchester flat Emma doesn't live in!). Emma's bank statement flags duplicate Direct Debits in November. Emma calls Manchester Council: "I moved out in May!" Manchester Council: "You're liable until you notify us OR new tenant moves in." Old flat empty May-October (landlord struggling to find tenant). Emma liable for full 6 months: £894 wasted! What Emma SHOULD have done: Notify Manchester Council on moving day (1 May) - online form, 5 minutes. Provide: new address, final meter readings, moving date. Council Tax ends on last day of residency (30 April). Emma would pay: April only (£149) instead of May-October (£894). Emma wasted: £894 - £149 = £745!
The mistake: Being a full-time student (or living with only students) but paying full Council Tax = waste £1,500-£2,500/year for 3-4 year degree = £6,000-£10,000 total wasted! Why it happens: "Didn't know students were exempt / Thought landlord claimed it / Assumed council knew I was a student." Real UK disaster (2025/26): 4 students share house near University of Manchester (Band C £2,012/year). Landlord doesn't mention Council Tax exemption. Students receive Council Tax bill: £2,012/year = £503 each. Students pay full amount for 2 years (2022-2024): £503 × 2 = £1,006 EACH! Total wasted by 4 students: £1,006 × 4 = £4,024! In Year 3, one student's parent (accountant) visits, sees Council Tax bill, says "Students don't pay Council Tax!" Students investigate, apply for exemption (submit Student Certificates from university). Council confirms: Property 100% exempt (all adults are full-time students). Backdated refund: Only 6 months (£1,006 recent payments). Refund: £503 × 0.5 years = £251 each (£1,006 total for 4 students). Students lost: £4,024 - £1,006 = £3,018 NOT refunded (only 6 months backdated)! How to avoid: Get Student Certificate from university (shows full-time status, course length). Submit to council IMMEDIATELY when moving in (online, 5 minutes). Exemption applies from course start date. If mixed household (students + non-students): Students disregarded, non-student gets Single Person Discount if only 1 non-student.
The mistake: Living in property with wheelchair access / extra room for disability needs but NOT claiming Disabled Band Reduction (one band lower rate) = overpay £250-£400/year! Why it happens: "Didn't know it existed / Thought it was too complicated / Assumed I wouldn't qualify." Real UK disaster (2025/26): Susan (wheelchair user) lives in Bristol Band D property (£2,389/year) with ground-floor bedroom/bathroom extension for wheelchair access. Susan's family built extension 10 years ago (2014). Susan paid full Band D rate for 10 years (2014-2024): £2,389 × 10 = £23,890. In 2024, Susan's occupational therapist mentions Disabled Band Reduction during home visit. Susan applies to Bristol Council (provides photos of adaptations, OT report). Council approves: Band D reduced to Band C rate. Band C Bristol: £2,101/year. Annual saving: £2,389 - £2,101 = £288/year. Backdated refund: 6 months only (£144). Susan wasted: £288 × 9.5 years = £2,736 by not applying earlier (only 6 months backdated)! Going forward: Susan saves £288/year. How to avoid: Check eligibility: Disabled person lives there + property has extra room/bathroom/floor space for wheelchair/disability needs. Apply when adaptations completed (or when moving into adapted property). Provide evidence: DLA/PIP letter, photos, OT report. Council may visit to verify - cooperate to get reduction!
The mistake: Doing major property works (loft conversion, extension, annexe) but NOT notifying council = either overpay (band should go down) OR underpay (band should go up) = penalties + backdated charges! Why it happens: "Didn't know I had to notify council / Hoped they wouldn't notice / Wanted to avoid band increase." Real UK disaster #1 (underpaying - band goes UP): Tom owns Birmingham Band C house (£1,672/year). Tom builds 2-storey rear extension + loft conversion (adds £100K+ value). Tom DOESN'T notify council (hoping to avoid band increase). Tom pays Band C rate for 3 years post-extension. Council discovers extension during routine property assessment (2027). VOA revalues: House should have been Band D from completion date (2024). Band D Birmingham: £1,881/year. Backdated charge: (£1,881 - £1,672) × 3 years = £209 × 3 = £627 backdated bill + 5% penalty = £658! Real UK disaster #2 (overpaying - band goes DOWN): Sarah owns Manchester Band D house (£2,264/year). Sarah's house suffers fire damage, demolishes half the house, lives in remaining structure while rebuilding. Sarah qualifies for band reduction during major works but DOESN'T notify council. Sarah pays full Band D rate during 2-year rebuild. After rebuild, Sarah discovers she could have paid Band C rate (or even Band B for partial demolition). Sarah wasted: £250-£500/year for 2 years = £500-£1,000 overpaid (NOT refunded because she didn't claim)! How to avoid: Notify council (Building Control) of major works: extensions, conversions, demolitions, annexes. Council may reassess band after completion. Revaluation triggered ONLY on completion (not during works) OR when property sold.
Complete official UK government guide to Council Tax. Covers: Who pays, how much you pay, Council Tax bands (A-H), discounts (Single Person 25%, students 100%, disabled reduction), exemptions (all students, care homes, empty properties), Council Tax Support application (means-tested reduction), appealing your band (Valuation Office Agency challenges), payment methods (Direct Debit 10 or 12 months), what happens if you don't pay (court summons, bailiffs). Updated for 2025/26 by HMRC + DLUHC. England, Wales, Scotland rules. Check your band: enter postcode. Apply for discounts: links to local councils. Trusted by 25 million UK households annually.
Official Valuation Office Agency (HMRC) tool for checking + challenging Council Tax bands. Features: Check YOUR band (enter postcode), compare neighbours' bands (see 10+ nearby properties same street), submit challenge online (FREE, 10 minutes if comparable properties lower band), track challenge progress (decisions within 3-6 months), understand 1991 values (England) or 2003 values (Wales). When you CAN challenge: Moved in recently (within 6 months), property changed (demolished, split, merged), council altered list, comparable properties lower band. 25% of UK homes in WRONG band = save £200-£600/year! Backdated refunds if successful. Updated 2025/26. Trusted government valuation authority.
Impartial advice charity guide to Council Tax problems + solutions. Covers: Can't afford to pay (Council Tax Support, payment plans, hardship schemes), received court summons (liability orders, bailiffs, attachment of earnings), challenging your bill (incorrect band, eligibility disputes), discounts + exemptions (eligibility checker: Single Person, students, disabled, carers), moving home (notify old + new councils, joint liability with housemates), complaints (council errors, billing mistakes). Step-by-step guides: "Apply for Council Tax reduction", "Challenge bailiff charges", "Check if you're exempt". Free advice helpline. Updated 2025/26. Helped 2 million people with Council Tax issues annually. Trusted UK charity since 1939.
Martin Lewis team's comprehensive guide to reducing Council Tax bills. Features: Band challenge masterclass (1 in 4 homes overvalued, check neighbours FREE, submit VOA challenge, success rate 70%+, backdated refunds), discount checker (Single Person 25%, students 100%, disabled -1 band, Council Tax Support 50-100%), Council Tax Support calculator (estimate reduction by income/benefits), payment hacks (12-month plans, Direct Debit discounts, avoid court fees £70 + bailiffs £310), empty property rules (discounts 0-100% for 1-6 months by council), second home premiums (pay 100-200% if not main residence). Real case studies: "Saved £400/year challenging band", "Got £2,000 refund for 5 years overpaying". Updated weekly 2025/26. Trusted by 15 million monthly users. UK's #1 consumer finance site.
Independent consumer champion guide to Council Tax rights + responsibilities. Covers: Your rights (challenge band errors, dispute liability, appeal court decisions), council obligations (correct billing, process discounts within 14 days, provide payment plans), enforcement rules (when bailiffs can/cannot enter, what they can/cannot take, complaint procedures), payment problems (hardship schemes, attachment of benefits, deduction from wages), moving home (joint liability rules, landlord/tenant responsibilities, final bill calculations). "Know Your Rights" section: "Council refusing discount", "Bailiff harassment", "Incorrect arrears". Template letters: Discount applications, challenge submissions, complaint escalations. Updated 2025/26 by consumer law experts. Trusted UK consumer organisation since 1957. Impartial advice for 300,000+ members.
FREE online benefit calculator specializing in Council Tax Support eligibility. Features: Calculate exact Council Tax Support reduction (by postcode - each council different rates!), check ALL benefits eligibility simultaneously (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Child Benefit), estimate combined household income after benefits + CT Support, "What if" scenarios (test income changes, savings thresholds, household changes), personalized result (shows which council scheme applies, exact % reduction, how to apply). Anonymous + confidential (no personal data stored). Takes 10 minutes. Example result: "You qualify for 87% Council Tax Support = pay only £15/month instead of £120/month = save £1,260/year!" Links direct to local council application. Supported by Money Advice Service + Citizens Advice. Used by 1 million+ UK households annually. Trusted benefits calculator since 1999.
✓ Expert Reviewed — This calculator is reviewed by our team of financial experts and updated regularly with the latest UK tax rates and regulations. Last verified: January 2026.