Millions of households across Scotland could see Council Tax bills rise by up to 17 per cent from April after the Scottish Government confirmed its freeze will end after the current financial year. However, during the Scottish Budget on Wednesday, Finance Secretary Shona Robison urged local authorities to avoid big increases as she gave them an extra £1 billion.
She told MPs at Holyrood that the Scottish Government will increase local authority funding by more than £1 billion in 2025/26. She added: ‘While it will be for councils to make their own decisions with record funding, there is no reason for big increases in Council Tax next year.”
Several media outlets reported soon after the draft Budget was announced speculated that the rise could be between seven and 17 per cent. If MSPs vote in favour of the Budget in February, all 32 councils across Scotland will set their own Council Tax rates for the 2025/26 financial year.
While that may seem a few months away from happening, checking to see if you are due a Council Tax discount, reduction or even exemption now could ease pressure on stretched household budgets – and could even result in a back payment.
Below is everything you need to know about who might be eligible for a Council Tax saving.
Check if you could be exempt from paying Council Tax
You will not pay Council Tax if:
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You are a full-time student
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You are in the Armed Forces in Forces accommodation
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You live in a care home or hospital
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Your home is unoccupied and empty (up to six months) – for example, if you’ve gone into hospital
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You have a severe mental impairment (e.g. dementia) – if you only live with someone who has dementia, then you’ll be treated as a sole occupant as they will be disregarded, but you won’t both be exempt
Contact your local authority about your eligibility and how you can apply for an exemption – a link to all 32 local authorities in Scotland is at the bottom of this page.
Could you be eligible for a discount on your Council Tax bill?
There are some circumstances where you may get a reduction on your Council Tax and the amount of discount varies depending on your circumstances.
If you live alone
The full Council Tax is calculated assuming there are two or more people living in each home – if you live alone, you should apply to your local council for a discount – you could get a 25 per cent reduction, regardless of your financial circumstances.
If you live with someone under 18 or a student
Council Tax is not calculated for anyone aged under 18, full-time students, student nurses and some apprentices or trainees.
If you are a carer
Carers who look after someone in the household for at least 35 hours per week and who meet additional criteria may be disregarded for Council Tax purposes, contact your local authority for their eligibility criteria.
Just be aware, this doesn’t apply if the person receiving care is the partner of the carer, or is the carer’s child aged under 18.
If there are major changes to the value of your home
You may be able to get your home moved to a lower band if it has decreased in value. For example, if you have made home adaptations for a disabled person, or if a motorway has been built nearby.
You may also get the band lowered if a room in the house is dedicated to equipment used by a disabled person on a daily basis.
If you change the way you pay
Although the total year’s amount will stay the same, you can request your bill be split over 12 months instead of 10, so you can spread the cost and reduce your monthly outgoings.
Alternatively, if you can afford to pay the whole bill in one lump sum, check with your local council if you can get a discount.
Apply for Council Tax Reduction
You may be eligible to claim a Council Tax Reduction if you’re on a low income or claiming certain benefits.
You can also claim Council Tax support regardless of whether you own your own home or rent, or whether you’re working or unemployed.
Each local council is responsible for operating their own Council Tax support scheme, so the amount of support given across the country may vary.
The amount you will get depends on many factors, including:
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Which benefits you receive
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Your age
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Your income
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Your savings
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Who you live with
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How much council tax you pay
You may get more Council Tax support if you receive a disability or carers benefit.
If you receive the Guarantee Credit Part of Pension Credit you may even get your Council Tax paid in full. If you don’t have it, but are on a low income and have less than £16,000 in savings, you may still get some help.
Local councils
Contact your local council from the list below to apply for a Council Tax Reduction or discount.
- Inverclyde
- Renfrewshire
- West Dunbartonshire
- East Dunbartonshire
- Glasgow
- East Renfrewshire
- North Lanarkshire
- Falkirk
- West Lothian
- Edinburgh
- Midlothian
- East Lothian
- Clackmannanshire
- Fife
- Dundee
- Angus
- Aberdeenshire
- Aberdeen
- Moray
- Highland
- Na h-Eileanan Siar
- Argyll and Bute
- Perth and Kinross
- Stirling
- North Ayrshire
- East Ayrshire
- South Ayrshire
- Dumfries and Galloway
- South Lanarkshire
- Scottish Borders
- Orkney
- Shetland