Council tax

The Council Tax is the main form of local taxation in the United Kingdom. It is paid by residents to the local authority. It was introduced in 1993 (by way of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992) as a successor to the unpopular Community Charge or Poll Tax introduced in 1989.

The base for the tax is residential property. Each dwelling is allocated to one of eight bands coded by letters A through H on the basis of its capital value. Each local authority sets a tax rate expressed as the annual levy on a Band D property inhabited by two liable adults. This decision automatically sets the amounts levied on all types of households and dwellings.

Although it is the only tax which is set by local government, the Council Tax contributes only a small proportion of local government revenue. The majority comes from central government grants and from business rates which are collected centrally and redistributed to local authorities.

Council Tax is divided into a number of components. Depending upon where the dweller lives, there can be a separate charge made by the Greater London Authority, County Councils, Police Authorities, Fire Authorities, Transport Authorities, National Park Authority, District Councils, and Civil Parishes. These may all set their precepts independently.