How to find out how much council tax you owe in the UK

What council tax is and why arrears matter

Council tax is a charge on domestic properties collected by local councils across England, Scotland, and Wales to fund services including rubbish collection, social care, roads, and schools. According to GOV.UK, the amount you pay depends on your property’s valuation band and any discounts or exemptions that apply to your household.

Unlike most debts, council tax arrears are treated as a priority debt in UK law. That means if you fall behind, your local council has stronger enforcement powers than most creditors. Enforcement can escalate from reminder letters to a court liability order, and from there to bailiff action, deductions from wages, or deductions from benefits including Universal Credit.

Acting early is always the better option. The sooner you know what you owe, the more options you have to resolve it.

How to check your council tax balance

The most reliable way to find out what you owe is to contact your local council directly. Most councils in England and Wales now offer an online self-service portal where you can log in and view your account balance, payment history, and any outstanding arrears.

If you do not have an online account, you can:

• Call your council’s council tax department (the number is on your bill or your council’s website)
• Write or email your council requesting a statement of account
• Visit your local council offices in person

Your annual council tax bill, sent at the start of each financial year (usually April), also shows the full charge for the year broken down into monthly instalments. If you have missed payments, the bill or a subsequent reminder letter will show the amount now overdue.

You can find your local council’s contact details via the GOV.UK council finder.

Understanding your bill and what the figures mean

A standard council tax bill includes:

• Your valuation band (A to H in England, A to I in Wales): set by the Valuation Office Agency based on the estimated 1991 property value.
• The annual charge for your band in your local authority area.
• Any discounts already applied, such as single-person discount (25%) or student exemption.
• The instalment schedule, typically ten monthly payments from April to January.

If you have arrears from a previous year, these may appear as a separate entry or in a separate reminder notice. Ask your council for a full account statement if you are unsure whether your bill covers only the current year or includes older unpaid amounts.

Payment plans: what councils are required to offer

If you cannot pay your council tax in full, you have the right to ask your council to set up a payment arrangement. According to Citizens Advice, councils should take your income, essential outgoings, and other priority debts into account when agreeing a payment plan.

To request a payment plan:

1. Contact your council as soon as you realise you cannot pay.
2. Complete a budget or income and expenditure form (most councils provide one).
3. Propose a realistic weekly or monthly amount you can afford.
4. Get the agreement in writing before making any payments.

Once a liability order has been granted by a magistrates’ court, some councils become less flexible. Contacting them before that stage significantly increases your chance of reaching a manageable arrangement.

Council tax reduction: are you eligible?

Council tax support, also called council tax reduction (CTR), is a local scheme that can reduce your council tax bill if you are on a low income. It replaced the old council tax benefit in 2013. Each local council runs its own scheme, so the rules and maximum reduction available vary.

You may be eligible if you:

• Receive Universal Credit, Income Support, Pension Credit, or Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Are on a low income but not claiming benefits
• Live alone (25% single-person discount applies separately and is not means-tested)
• Have a disability or care for someone with a disability in your household

You can apply via your local council or check your eligibility at GOV.UK. Reductions can be backdated in some circumstances, so it is worth applying even if arrears have already built up.

Other discounts that may reduce your bill include: full-time student exemption, severe mental impairment exemption, and the 50% discount for properties where all adult residents are disregarded.

Can the council write off council tax debt?

In limited circumstances, councils can agree to write off council tax arrears, particularly where:

• The debt is old and enforcement would be disproportionate
• You can demonstrate severe financial hardship with no realistic prospect of repayment
• You enter a formal insolvency arrangement such as bankruptcy or a Debt Relief Order (DRO)

A DRO, available to people with debts under £30,000, no assets, and a low surplus income, can legally write off qualifying debts including council tax arrears once the 12-month moratorium period ends. National Debtline provides detailed guidance on DROs and other formal insolvency options.

Council tax debt does not have a standard limitation period in the same way as some consumer debts under the Limitation Act 1980. Local authorities retain the right to pursue older debts, particularly if a liability order was already granted.

Free debt help: where to turn

If council tax arrears are part of a wider debt problem, free professional advice is available from the following organisations. None of these services charge fees.

• Citizens Advice: in-person, online, and telephone advice across England and Wales. The national helpline is 0800 144 8848.
• StepChange Debt Charity: free online debt advice and debt management plans. Telephone: 0800 138 1111.
• National Debtline: free telephone and web chat advice. Telephone: 0808 808 4000.
• Your local council’s own financial inclusion or welfare advice team: many councils have specialist officers who can help you access reductions, grants, and hardship funds.

You can also find support resources through the welfare and benefits hub on this site.

What to do today if you have council tax arrears

Practical steps you can take now:

1. Log in to your council’s online portal or call them to get your current balance.
2. Check whether you qualify for a council tax reduction via GOV.UK.
3. Do not ignore reminder letters or court summons: respond in writing and keep copies.
4. Request a payment plan in writing before enforcement action begins.
5. Contact Citizens Advice or StepChange if arrears are part of a broader debt problem.

Council tax debt is a priority, but it is also one of the most flexible debts to resolve if you engage early. Local councils have a statutory duty to consider your circumstances before taking enforcement action, and free expert help is genuinely available at no cost to you.

For related guidance, see our article on understanding your rights when contacted by debt collectors.