Council tax calculator – see how a lot payments in your space will enhance in April
Almost each council in England is planning to hike Council Tax payments by the utmost quantity in April, in contemporary distress for cash-strapped households.
The overwhelming majority of councils (91 p.c) plan to lift payments by 4.99 p.c in April, in line with an evaluation by The Mirror.
This marks the very best enhance allowed with out a referendum. An further 5 p.c of councils intend to lift payments by just below the utmost restrict.
This implies that properties in tax band B and D areas face a median hike of just about £84 a 12 months, with 85 p.c of properties in that band set to pay over £2,000 a 12 months.
Crisis-hit Birmingham City Council and Thurrock Council are amongst these given particular permission by the Government to impose greater hikes – of 9.99 p.c and seven.99 p.c respectively.
Some councils will impose a 4.99 p.c rise however will defend some residents, similar to Tower Hamlets Council in London, the place households with an earnings beneath £49,500 will likely be shielded.
You can see how a lot payments will likely be rising in your space through the use of our interactive:
Greg Wilson, founder and CEO of comparability web site Quotezone.co.uk famous the significance of households checking to see how a lot their annual payments could possibly be rising.
He stated: “In April council tax payments will be going up, so it’s important to know what to expect.
“Residents should check if the band they’re in is correct, any changes to your property and you could be able to propose a new band.”
People may additionally be capable to declare some cash off their payments, relying on their circumstances.
Council Tax reductions
Mr Wilson highlighted: “Any single-adult households are eligible for a 25 percent discount on council tax.
“You’re also exempt from council tax payments for several reasons, including if you’re a full-time student or a live-in carer.”
People would possibly be capable to apply for a Council Tax low cost or exemption in the event that they, or somebody they dwell, with is disabled.
One situation by which an individual might be able to declare a reduction is that if they dwell in a bigger home than they would want as a result of incapacity. They’ll should show they’ve further area, similar to a further rest room or room.
People may also be capable to apply for a reduction in the event that they, or somebody they dwell with, is “severely mentally impaired”.
If the claimant is severely mentally impaired, they’ll declare a 100% low cost, whereas those that dwell with a severely mentally impaired particular person can declare a 25 p.c low cost.
People who’re on a low earnings or obtain sure advantages may be eligible to assert by the Council Tax Reduction scheme. This scheme allows councils to supply as a lot as a 100% low cost on council tax payments, whereas others can marginally cut back it.
How a lot an individual will get will depend on their earnings, such because the variety of kids; advantages; residency standing; financial savings; pensions; companion’s earnings; and who lives with them.
As every native council run its personal Council Tax Support schemes, how an individual makes a declare would possibly differ relying on the place they dwell.
However, the very first thing an individual ought to do when making a declare is to contact their native council. People can discover out what theirs is perhaps by typing their postcode into this Government tool.