🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Council Tax Reduction

Reduced Council Tax for Low-Income Households

Easy ~15 min TaxCouncil TaxDiscountLow Income

/ What is this form?

Council Tax Reduction (CTR) helps people on low income pay their council tax bill. Each local council runs its own CTR scheme, so rules and amounts vary. A 25% single person discount is automatic for one-adult households. Full-time students are fully exempt.

Households where all adults have a serious mental impairment, severe disability, or student status can be fully exempt. Properties left empty or undergoing major repairs may also get discounts.

Apply through your local council — each council has its own form, criteria, and assessment process.

/ Who needs this form?

People on low income who cannot afford their full council tax bill
Single adults living alone (25% automatic discount)
Full-time students (full exemption for all-student households)
People with certain disabilities or severe mental impairments

/ What you need before you start

Proof of income (payslips, Universal Credit award letters, pension statements)

Proof of savings and capital

Your most recent council tax bill

Details of all adults in the household

/ Step-by-step guide

1 Check Your Eligibility

Eligibility depends on income, savings, household composition, and immigration status. Each council runs its own scheme — check your local council's rules.

2 Apply to Your Local Council

Applications go to your local council (not central government). Find and complete their specific form — most councils have online applications.

3 Provide Evidence

Submit proof of income (payslips, benefit letters), savings, council tax bill, and ID.

4 Receive Decision

The council processes your application and adjusts your council tax bill. Backdating is possible in some cases.

/ Key fields explained

Field	What to enter	Common mistake
Household income	Weekly or monthly income of all adults in the household from all sources.	Not including income from lodgers, boarders, or non-dependent adults in the household.

/ Common mistakes to avoid

Not applying — many eligible people miss out simply by not knowing about CTR.

Students not claiming their exemption — all-student households are fully exempt.

Not reporting a change in circumstances that might increase your reduction.

/ Frequently asked questions

Do students pay council tax?

No. All-student households are completely exempt. Single students living with non-students may get a 25% discount if the non-student is disregarded for another reason.