Council Tax frequently asked questions
We have published the most frequently asked specific questions about Council Tax on this page to help you find the answers you need. Click a blue box to open it and read the answer.
West Sussex County Council have increased their charges of the Council Tax Bill for this year by 4.99% equating to £81.54 at band D equivalent, including a precept to fund adult social care. The Police and Crime Commissioner has increased their charge of the Council Tax Bill for this year by 5.42% equating to £13 at band D equivalent.
Horsham District Council have increased their part of the Council Tax Bill by 2%, equating to £3.34 and band D equivalent.
This means the overall increase on your Council Tax Bill equates to 4.80% or £97.88 at band D equivalent, before any parish or unparished area precepts.
Other reasons could be a change in your discounts or benefits if you are in receipt of them.
No. Your Direct Debit instruction from last year will automatically be carried forward to your new account. You can confirm this by looking at the payment details at the bottom of your bill. This section shows how you have chosen to pay, how much your new instalments will be and the dates they will be taken from your bank account.
Set up a Self-Service account so you can check your Direct Debit details on there.
Yes. When you set up a Direct Debit you can choose to pay on the 1st, 15th or 25th of the month.
Yes. We can arrange weekly or four weekly payments to clear your account by 1st March 2025. To arrange this, please email us at hdc-revenues@milton-keynes.gov.uk.
Yes, but only if you notify us before the 1 April*. This is to ensure your payments are spread over the 12 months. Your payment plan will then be amended and you will receive 12 monthly instalments for future year’s charges unless you ask us to amend your instalments back to the statutory 10 months. You can request to pay over 12 months by email to hdc-revenues@milton-keynes.gov.uk or by calling us on 0808 164 8610.
*If you are paying by Direct Debit and your instalments are due to be collected on 1st or 15th of the month, we will not be able to amend your instalments in time to reduce the April one but your remaining instalments will be adjusted over 11 months.
Other options are detailed on the back of your bill. You can view alternative payment options on our website.
You must pay your new bill on the due instalment dates. If you can’t afford to pay the arrears as well, it’s important to pay your current bill now and call us on 0808 164 8610 about your arrears. We will then do whatever we can to help.
You can find details about reminder notices, final notices, and court summons on our What happens if you don’t pay your bill webpage.
If you are on a low income you may be entitled to Council Tax Support to assist with payment of all/part of your Council Tax bill.
Yes. You can apply for a 25% single person reduction by completing our online claim form
Yes. The council tax is not a charge for services, it is a tax. The tax system is set by central government and local authorities have no power to change the way it operates. Council Tax funds services provided by Horsham District Council, West Sussex County Council and Sussex Police.
If you are the person liable for the Council Tax Bill, we are required to issue a bill showing the amount due. Your bill shows the amount of Council Tax you are liable to pay, any discounts you have been awarded and any Council Tax Support you are entitled to.
You will have received your Annual Bill based on the information that the Council held on your account as at the close of business on 22 February 2024.
If you have notified us of any changes after that date, you will receive an amended bill after 11 March 2024.
Under Council Tax law persons who are married/partners or have an equal interest in a property can be held jointly or severally (separately) liable for the charges that are due. Therefore, any persons who are named on the bill have a responsibility to ensure that the charges are paid. This potentially means that an individual could be held liable for the whole of the charge.
You can appeal against your banding if you became the new owner within the last 6 months or if there has been a material change in the property.
In the meantime you are required to pay your Council Tax bill until any appeal is settled. If your appeal is successful you will be entitled to a refund of any overpayment.
Yes, you can, however your current instalments take into account your credit for last year and once this has been refunded to you your monthly instalments will increase. If you still wish to claim a refund, call us on 0808 164 8610.
If you qualify for disabled relief your Council Tax Bill will be reduced to that of a property in the band immediately below the band shown in the valuation list. For example, if your home is in Band ‘D’, your Council Tax Bill will be reduced to the equivalent of a Band ‘C’ dwelling.
Check the bottom of your bill above the list of monthly instalments. The most convenient way to pay is to set up a Direct Debit
The Council has the discretion to vary the discount percentage and the time period for Class C (Empty Properties) that were left empty and unfurnished. It has been agreed at Full Council to reduce the time period to nil days. Therefore, there is no discount for empty properties.
If you haven’t received your bill by 24 March, please contact us
No. The council has the discretion to allow discounts. Properties which are vacant and are undergoing ‘major repair work’ or ‘structural alteration’ no longer attract a discount.
This does not affect other exemptions e.g. registered charities, people in care homes, prisoners, student examples, carers. More information is available on our discounts-exemptions page
If you pay the current financial year’s council tax over 12 instalments, this will be the amount due to be paid in March as per your previous council tax bill for 2023/24.