Council Tax Calculator
Calculate your UK council tax bill by band, region, and discounts. Compare England, Scotland, and Wales band structures with single person and disabled reductions.
Council Tax is an annual UK property tax collected by your local council. It's banded A to H (A to I in Wales) based on your home's 1991 value, newer homes are still valued against 1991 prices. Band D is the reference point, with Band A paying 6/9 of Band D and Band H paying 18/9. Scotland and Wales use different band multipliers.
Enter your postcode and band to see the 2026/27 charge for your area.
Council Tax Calculator
Find your council's rate on your bill or at gov.uk. Average for England 2026/27: ~£2,071.
£2071
Per year
£207.10
Per month (10)
£172.58
Per month (12)
£39.83
Per week
England Band Thresholds(1991 values)
| Band | Property Value | Ratio | Annual Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | £0 – £40,000 | 67% | £1381 |
| Band B | £40,001 – £52,000 | 78% | £1611 |
| Band C | £52,001 – £68,000 | 89% | £1841 |
| Band D | £68,001 – £88,000 | 100% | £2071 |
| Band E | £88,001 – £120,000 | 122% | £2531 |
| Band F | £120,001 – £160,000 | 144% | £2991 |
| Band G | £160,001 – £320,000 | 167% | £3452 |
| Band H | Over £320,001 | 200% | £4142 |
How Council Tax Actually Works
Council tax is the UK's property-based local tax. Every residential property is placed in a band based on its estimated value, not today's value, but its value on a fixed date in the past. In England and Scotland, that's 1 April 1991. In Wales, it was revalued to 1 April 2003.
Your local council sets the Band D rate each year. Every other band is calculated as a fraction of Band D. Band A pays two-thirds of Band D. Band H pays double. The system means a Band H property pays three times more than a Band A property, even though it could be worth fifty times more. It's a blunt instrument, and critics have called for reform since it was introduced in 1993.
Council tax funds roughly a quarter of local authority spending. The rest comes from central government grants, business rates, and fees. Your bill covers police, fire, refuse collection, street lighting, social care, libraries, parks, and planning services.
Band Comparison: England vs Scotland vs Wales
| Band | England (1991) | Scotland (1991) | Wales (2003) | Ratio of Band D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | Up to £40,000 | Up to £27,000 | Up to £44,000 | 67% |
| Band B | £40,001–£52,000 | £27,001–£35,000 | £44,001–£65,000 | 78% |
| Band C | £52,001–£68,000 | £35,001–£45,000 | £65,001–£91,000 | 89% |
| Band D | £68,001–£88,000 | £45,001–£58,000 | £91,001–£123,000 | 100% |
| Band E | £88,001–£120,000 | £58,001–£80,000 | £123,001–£162,000 | 122%* |
| Band F | £120,001–£160,000 | £80,001–£106,000 | £162,001–£223,000 | 144%* |
| Band G | £160,001–£320,000 | £106,001–£212,000 | £223,001–£324,000 | 167%* |
| Band H | Over £320,000 | Over £212,000 | £324,001–£424,000 | 200%* |
| Band I | — | — | Over £424,000 | 233% |
*Scotland applies higher multipliers to bands E–H since 2017. Band E is 131%, F is 163%, G is 196%, H is 245% of Band D. Wales has 9 bands (A–I) instead of 8.
Discounts and Exemptions
Single person discount
25% offOnly one qualifying adult lives in the property. Students, carers, and people with severe mental impairment are disregarded.
Full student exemption
100% offAll residents are full-time students (or the property is occupied only by students). Apply through your council with a student certificate.
Disabled person's reduction
Down 1 bandIf a disabled person lives in the property and it has essential features (wheelchair room, extra bathroom, extra kitchen). Band A gets a separate 1/6 reduction.
Empty property
Up to 100% offVaries by council. Most offer a discount for the first 1–6 months. After that, councils can charge a 100% premium on empty homes. Long-term empty (10+ years): up to 300% premium.
Council tax support
Means-testedLow-income households can apply for a reduction. Each council runs its own scheme, reductions of up to 100% are possible. Pension-age claimants have a national scheme.
Second adult rebate
Up to 25% offIf you live with another adult who's on a low income (not your partner), you might qualify. Can't be combined with single person discount, your council gives whichever saves you more.
Common Mistakes
Not claiming single person discount after a partner moves out
25% of an average Band D bill is over £500/year. Apply to your council immediately when your household changes. It's backdated to when the change happened.
Assuming your band is correct because it's always been that way
Millions of properties are in the wrong band. If similar properties nearby are in a lower band, or yours has been significantly altered, challenge it free of charge through the VOA.
Paying 10 monthly instalments when 12 would be easier
Most councils default to 10 payments (April–January). Ask to switch to 12, it's the same total but ~17% less per month. February and March become payment months too.
Ignoring council tax support because you think you won't qualify
Every council has a support scheme for low-income households. Pension-age claimants can get up to 100% off. Working-age schemes vary but it's always worth checking, even a partial reduction helps.
Average Council Tax by Region (2026/27)
| Region | Avg Band D | Monthly (12) | With SPD (−25%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| England (average) | £2,071 | £172.58 | £1,553 |
| London (average) | £1,898 | £158.17 | £1,424 |
| North East | £2,107 | £175.58 | £1,580 |
| South East | £2,178 | £181.50 | £1,634 |
| Scotland (average) | £1,418 | £118.17 | £1,064 |
| Wales (average) | £1,879 | £156.58 | £1,409 |
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Sources
- Gov.uk, Council tax bands and ratios 2026/27
- Valuation Office Agency, Council tax banding in England and Wales
- Scottish Assessors Association, Council tax bands in Scotland
- DLUHC, Council tax levels set by local authorities 2026/27
- Gov.uk, Council tax discounts and exemptions
- Gov.uk, Disabled person's council tax reduction
- Citizens Advice, Help with council tax arrears
How to use this tool
Select your region and enter your council's Band D rate
Choose your property's council tax band (A–H)
Apply any discounts, single person or disabled reduction
Common uses
- Estimating annual council tax before moving
- Checking if you're paying the correct amount
- Comparing costs across different council areas
- Calculating impact of single person discount
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