How to use the council tax calculator
- 1 Choose the country: England, Wales or Scotland.
- 2 Choose your council tax band, shown on your bill or the GOV.UK band checker.
- 3 Enter your council's Band D charge; the default is the England average of £2,392.
- 4 Choose who lives there and any Council Tax Reduction, then read the bill.
Worked example
A Band C home in England where the council's Band D charge is £2,392, with one adult. Band C is 8/9 of Band D, so £2,126.22. The 25% single person discount takes off £531.56, leaving £1,594.67 a year, or £159.47 over 10 instalments. A Band E home in Scotland with a Band D charge of £1,662 pays 473/360 of it: £2,183.68.
Paying less council tax
- Claim the single person discount if you live alone.
- Check your band against similar homes; you can challenge it.
- Apply for Council Tax Reduction on a low income.
- Ask for 12 instalments to spread the cost.
Add energy costs with the Energy Bill Calculator and the Appliance Running Cost Calculator, and housing with the Mortgage Calculator.
Features
All bands
A to H in England and Scotland, A to I in Wales, with the right ratios.
Discounts
Single person 25%, disregards 50%, second home premiums and Council Tax Reduction.
Instalments
Yearly, 10 or 12 monthly payments, and weekly.
When to use it
Moving home
Budget the council tax on a new place. Add mortgage costs with the Mortgage Calculator.
Living alone
Check the 25% single person discount is on your bill.
Landlords and second homes
See the effect of a second home premium. Work out rental profit with the Rental Yield Calculator.
Household budget
Add council tax to energy bills from the Energy Bill Calculator.
Related Home and Auto tasks
Frequently asked questions
What is the average council tax in 2026/27?
The average Band D council tax in England for 2026/27 is £2,392, up £111 or 4.9% on 2025/26, including adult social care and parish precepts. It ranges from £1,028 in Wandsworth to £2,765 in Dorset.
How is each band worked out?
In England each band is a fixed fraction of Band D: A 6/9, B 7/9, C 8/9, D 9/9, E 11/9, F 13/9, G 15/9 and H 18/9. Wales adds Band I at 21/9. In Scotland, bands E to H were raised in 2017, so E is 473/360 and H is 882/360.
Who gets the single person discount?
If only one adult (18 or over) lives in the home, you get 25% off. Some people are disregarded when counting adults, such as full-time students, apprentices and carers.
When do I get 50% off?
If everyone except one person is disregarded, or no one counts, you may get 50% off. Homes where everyone is a full-time student are usually fully exempt.
What is the second home premium?
Since April 2025, councils in England can charge up to double council tax on furnished homes that are not anyone's main residence. Many councils now do. Wales and Scotland also allow premiums.
What is Council Tax Reduction?
Help from your council if you are on a low income or benefits, which can cut your bill by up to 100%. Each council runs its own scheme, so apply to yours.
Which property values are in each band?
In England the bands are based on 1 April 1991 values: Band A up to £40,000 and Band H over £320,000. In Wales they are based on 2003 values.
Can I pay over 12 months instead of 10?
Yes. Councils usually bill over 10 months from April to January, but you have the right to ask for 12 monthly instalments.
Does Northern Ireland have council tax?
No. Northern Ireland uses domestic rates based on capital value instead.
Results are estimates based on the official rates linked above. Confirm important figures with the issuing authority or a qualified adviser before you act on them.
Built and reviewed by Hamza Farooq, founder and lead developer
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