How are council tax payments calculated?
Council tax makes up around a quarter of local authority incomes in England, Wales and Scotland.
Most households have to pay council tax, but the amount you’ll pay depends on:
- the value of your house,
- your age,
- your income, and
- who else lives with you
An annual bill will be sent in March each year showing how much you need to pay. You can spread the cost over 12 months by paying in weekly or monthly instalments.
Council tax bills often show payments over 10 months, but your local authority must let you pay over 12 months if you ask.
If your council tax bill was sent out later than April, for example because you’ve moved house, you’ll have a shorter time to pay it. The bill must be paid off in full before the end of the following March.
In Scotland, council tax covers sewage and water charges. These must be paid, even if you're eligible for a council tax reduction.