Check for unclaimed Council Tax discounts or exemptions before colder weather sets in to boost winter finances

byJohn Smith •
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The most recent Council Tax Discount figures present that in March 2022, the scheme supported 462,670 households throughout Scotland, in comparison with 496,580 in March 2021. The overall weekly earnings written off by native authorities was £6.829 million, in comparison with £7.328 million for a similar interval final 12 months.

The overall variety of folks getting a Council Tax Discount decreased over the course of 2021-22 with the biggest lower of 1.7 per cent noticed in January, 2022 in comparison with the earlier month. February, 2022 noticed the bottom stage of Council Tax Discount recipients ever recorded, with numbers rising barely to 462,670 in March 2022.

Nonetheless, many individuals could merely not remember that they qualify for a reduction, discount, or exemption, on their Council Tax - no matter band they're in - which may save them tons of of kilos this 12 months, which could possibly be a useful enhance throughout the price of dwelling disaster.

As the price of dwelling continues to place stress on tens of millions of family budgets and inflation retains rising, in case your circumstances have modifications for the reason that 2022/23 Council Tax payments had been issued in April, you could be due a reduction - and even be exempt from paying.

Beneath is our fast information on the best way to verify your Council Tax invoice and discover out in the event you could also be paying an excessive amount of - earlier than your subsequent fee is due.

How is Council Tax labored out?

How a lot Council Tax you pay is determined by your native authority, which units an general quantity annually and assigns a ‘band’ to your private home, based mostly on its worth - it’s isn’t banded by its present market worth, however what it was price on April 1, 1991 - the date Council Tax was launched.

Council Tax bands vary from A to H. A is the bottom band with the bottom fees and H has the very best fees.

  • Band A - As much as £27,000

  • Band B - Over £27,000 and as much as £35,000

  • Band C - Over £35,000 and as much as £45,000

  • Band D - Over £45,000 and as much as £58,000

  • Band E - Over £58,000 and as much as £80,000

  • Band F - Over £80,000 and as much as £106,000

  • Band G - Over £106,000 and as much as £212,000

  • Band H - Over £212,000

Your invoice additionally takes into consideration whether or not or not you might be eligible for a discount or exemption.

The best way to verify your Council Tax band

The band of each property in Scotland is accessible to verify on-line right here.

Might you be exempt from paying Council Tax?

You'll not pay Council Tax if:

  • You're a full-time scholar

  • You might be within the Armed Forces in Forces lodging

  • You reside in a care residence or hospital

  • Your private home is unoccupied and empty (as much as six months) - for instance, in the event you’ve gone into hospital

  • You've got a extreme psychological impairment (e.g. dementia) - in the event you solely dwell with somebody who has dementia, then you definately’ll be handled as a sole occupant as they are going to be disregarded, however you gained’t each be exempt

Contact your native authority about your eligibility and how one can apply for an exemption - a hyperlink to all 32 native authorities in Scotland is on the backside of the web page.

Might you be eligible for a reduction in your Council Tax invoice?

There are some circumstances the place you could get a discount in your Council Tax and the quantity of low cost varies relying in your circumstances.

When you dwell alone

The complete Council Tax is calculated assuming there are two or extra folks dwelling in every residence – in the event you dwell alone, you must apply to your native council for a reduction - you may get a 25 per cent discount, no matter your monetary circumstances.

When you dwell with somebody below 18 or a scholar

Council Tax just isn't calculated for anybody aged below 18, full-time college students, scholar nurses and a few apprentices or trainees.

If you're a carer

Carers who take care of somebody within the family for not less than 35 hours per week and who meet further standards could also be disregarded for Council Tax functions, contact your native authority for his or her eligibility standards.

Simply remember, this doesn’t apply if the individual receiving care is the associate of the carer, or is the carer’s youngster aged below 18.

A Council Tax Bill showing the statement with the 25% discount
When you dwell by yourself or with a scholar, you could be eligible for a 25% Council Tax low cost (Picture: PA)

If there are main modifications to the worth of your private home

You might be able to get your private home moved to a decrease band if it has decreased in worth.

For instance, when you've got made residence diversifications for a disabled individual, or if a motorway has been constructed close by.

You might also get the band lowered if a room in the home is devoted to tools utilized by a disabled individual every day.

When you change the way in which you pay

Though the overall 12 months’s quantity will keep the identical, you may request that your invoice be break up over 12 months as a substitute of 10, so as to unfold the price and cut back your month-to-month outgoings.

Alternatively, in the event you can afford to pay the entire invoice in a single lump sum, verify along with your native council if you will get a reduction.

Apply for Council Tax assist

You might be eligible to assert council tax assist, typically known as Council Tax Discount, in the event you’re on a low earnings or claiming sure advantages.

You can too declare Council Tax assist no matter whether or not you personal your individual residence or hire, or whether or not you’re working or unemployed.

Every native council is liable for working their very own Council Tax assist scheme, so the quantity of assist given throughout the nation could fluctuate.

The quantity you'll get is determined by many elements, together with:

  • Which advantages you obtain

  • Your age

  • Your earnings

  • Your financial savings

  • Who you reside with

  • How a lot council tax you pay

You might get extra Council Tax assist in the event you obtain a incapacity or carers profit.

When you obtain the Assure Credit score A part of Pension Credit score you could even get your council tax paid in full. When you don’t have it, however are on a low earnings and have lower than £16,000 in financial savings, you should still get some assist.

Native councils

Contact your native council from the checklist beneath to use for a Council Tax low cost or to verify if you're eligible for his or her assist scheme.

To maintain updated with the newest power information, be a part of our Cash Saving Scotland Fb group right here or subscribe to our e-newsletter which matches out thrice every week - join right here.

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