Council Tax Calculator 2025/26
Calculate your council tax bill for 2025/26, check which discounts and exemptions you may be entitled to, and understand how your band compares to neighbours. Enter your Band D rate — shown on your council tax bill or your council’s website.
Council tax bands explained
Council tax is charged based on the estimated value of your property as of 1 April 1991 in England and Scotland, or 1 April 2003 in Wales. Properties are placed in bands A–H (A–I in Wales), with Band D being the reference rate from which all other bands are calculated as a fixed proportion.
| Band | England 1991 value | Proportion of Band D | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Up to £40,000 | 6/9 | 66.7% |
| B | £40,001–£52,000 | 7/9 | 77.8% |
| C | £52,001–£68,000 | 8/9 | 88.9% |
| D | £68,001–£88,000 | 9/9 | 100% |
| E | £88,001–£120,000 | 11/9 | 122.2% |
| F | £120,001–£160,000 | 13/9 | 144.4% |
| G | £160,001–£320,000 | 15/9 | 166.7% |
| H | Over £320,000 | 18/9 | 200% |
England average: ~£2,171 · London average: ~£1,800 · Wales average: ~£1,950 · Scotland average: ~£1,500. Your local council sets its own rate — check your bill or council website for the exact figure.
Council tax discounts and exemptions
25% Single Person Discount
If you are the only adult resident in your property, you are entitled to a 25% discount on your bill. You must apply to your council — it isn’t applied automatically. If you’re a sole occupant who hasn’t claimed this, contact your council immediately as you can usually backdate the claim.
Student exemption
Full-time students are disregarded for council tax purposes. If everyone in a property is a full-time student, the property is completely exempt (100% reduction). If one person is a student and the other is not, the student is disregarded and the remaining person pays the single person 25% discount rate.
Severe Mental Impairment (SMI)
Individuals with a severe and permanent condition affecting their intelligence and social functioning (such as dementia, Parkinson’s, or certain acquired brain injuries) can be disregarded for council tax. If the SMI person is the only adult, the remaining resident gets the 25% discount. If both are SMI, the property may be fully exempt.
Council Tax Reduction (CTR)
CTR (previously known as Council Tax Benefit) is a means-tested reduction available from your local council if you’re on a low income. Unlike the old national scheme, each council runs its own CTR scheme with its own rules and amounts. Contact your council to apply — it can reduce your bill by anything from a small amount to 100%.
How to challenge your council tax band
If you believe your property has been placed in the wrong band — most commonly because similar nearby properties are in a lower band — you can appeal to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) in England and Wales, or the Scottish Assessors Association in Scotland.
You must first contact the VOA and request a review. If dissatisfied, you can appeal to an independent valuation tribunal. Successful appeals can result in backdated reductions for several years. The most common successful ground is that comparable properties on the same street are in a lower band — you can check neighbouring properties’ bands for free on the VOA website.
