Council Tax Reduction Calculator

Check which council tax discounts and exemptions you qualify for — single person, student, disabled, care leaver.

Last updated: April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK — Council Tax

£

You Pay

£1,500.00/year

Saving: £500.00 · £150.00/month (10 months)

Single person discount (25%)

Disclaimer

This calculator is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or tax advice. All calculations are performed locally in your browser — no personal data is collected or sent to our servers. Rates and thresholds are sourced from HMRC and GOV.UK and are updated for the current tax year. Always verify results with HMRC or consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

How It Works

Council Tax Reduction (CTR) is a locally administered scheme that helps people on low incomes pay their council tax bill. Each council in England runs its own scheme, so the rules, income thresholds and maximum reductions vary by area. Working-age claimants may receive a partial or full reduction depending on their circumstances.

Pension-age claimants are protected by a national scheme and can receive up to 100% reduction in their council tax. The calculation considers your income, savings (generally capped at £16,000), household size and the applicable council tax amount. Savings between £6,000 and £16,000 are assumed to generate £1 per week for each £250.

Many councils require working-age claimants to pay a minimum amount, often 8-25% of the full bill. Some councils are more generous and still offer up to 100% reduction. This calculator provides an estimate based on typical council schemes, but you should check your local council's specific rules.

Example: Single person, pension age, Band B, £180/week income

  1. Band B council tax: £1,700/year (£32.69/week)
  2. Single person discount (25%): -£425
  3. Reduced annual bill: £1,275 (£24.52/week)
  4. Applicable amount (pension age single): £218.15/week
  5. Income below applicable amount: eligible for full reduction
  6. Council Tax Reduction: £1,275 (100% of reduced bill)

Source: GOV.UK — Council Tax

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Council Tax Reduction Calculator do?
Check which council tax discounts and exemptions you qualify for — single person, student, disabled, care leaver. All calculations are performed in your browser using official UK rates and thresholds.
Is this calculator updated for the 2025/26 tax year?
Yes. This calculator uses the latest HMRC rates and thresholds for the 2025/26 UK tax year, which runs from 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026. Rates are verified against official HMRC publications.
Do I need to tell HMRC about this?
Whether you need to report to HMRC depends on your individual circumstances. If you are unsure, check GOV.UK or contact HMRC directly. This calculator provides estimates for guidance only.