How Council Tax works
Who has to pay
You鈥檒l usually have to pay Council Tax if you鈥檙e 18 or over.
A full Council Tax bill is based on at least 2 adults living in a home. Spouses and partners who live together are jointly responsible for paying the bill.
Who is not counted (鈥榙isregarded鈥�)
Some people are not counted (鈥榙isregarded鈥�) when working out how many people live in a property. This means you might be able to apply for a discount on your Council Tax bill if you get one.
You鈥檙e disregarded if you鈥檙e:
- under 18 years old
- on certain apprentice schemes
- 18 or 19 years old and in full-time education
- a full-time student at college or university
- under 25 years old and get funding from the Education and Skills Funding Agency
- a student nurse
- a foreign language assistant registered with the British Council
- severely mentally impaired
- a live-in carer for someone who is not your partner, spouse, or child under 18
- a diplomat
Apply for a discount or exemption
You need to apply for a Council Tax discount or an exemption, even if you鈥檙e disregarded.
You鈥檒l get 50% off your bill if everyone living in your household is disregarded.
You鈥檒l get 25% off your bill if you pay Council Tax and either:
- you live on your own
- everyone else in your home is disregarded
Contact your local council if you鈥檙e unsure about whether you can get a discount or who鈥檚 responsible for paying.
People on apprentice schemes
To show that you do not qualify as an adult for Council Tax, you鈥檒l need a declaration from your employer stating that:
- you will not be paid more than 拢195 a week
- the training leads to a qualification accredited by a body recognised by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) or the Scottish Vocational Education Council (SVEC)
If you get a Council Tax discount by mistake
You must contact your local council. If you do not, you could get a fine.
The council may ask you to pay back the discount.