What is Council Tax?

This is a type of tax used in England, Scotland, Wales, and United Kingdom, it was enacted in the year 1992 by the local government finance Act. It replaced the former community charge, which in turn also replaced the domestic rates. Council tax was introduced by the government, specifically to help the local council pay for the services they provide and render to its citizens. Some of these services include the maintenance and cleaning of roads, putting up streetlights as well as replacing them when bad. Council tax is calculated by the value of property an individual owns, and this also determines which tax band you fall under. However, there are some people who are exempted from Paying this tax, and they are those who live care and hostels, those who’s House are unoccupied, either because they do not live there as a result of ill health, or disabilities. You can paid you council tax in full or monthly by direct debit or go post office with you council tax bill and pay as you like but you most agree payment plan with your local council.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR COUNCIL TAX EXEMPTION?

Normally a Council Tax is issued to any household with at least 2 Adult occupants, who live together and are jointly paying the bills. However, anyone from the age of 18 and above is liable to pay Council Tax, furthermore there are also some specific persons also, that the government has exempted in addition to the above mentioned.

1.  A student Nurse
2.  A live- care giver to someone is neither their spouse nor child of the
3.  A diplomat
4.  Students between the ages of 18 or 19 years in full time studies.
5.  People on apprentice schemes that have a declaration from their employer stating that they will be earning more than £195 a week

HOW TO GET STUDENT COUNCIL TAX EXEMPTION?

As a student you are already eligible for tax exemption as long as you are studying as a full-time student, and your course lasts for more than a year and you study at least 21 hours or more a week. You need to go to student help desk at your university to get letter to show that you are a student and then you can forward the letter to your local council to valid and update your record according and afterwards the council will write to you with the appropriate bill to say nil payment required.

Also, the same is applicable if you reside on campus hall or University accommodation, the university accommodation office  will forward your name to the appropriate local authority that you are a student in that case the exemption will be applied according. But if you leave outside the campus in a private apartment, then you will need to apply online via your local council’s website or attend to your council office like I mentioned earlier, You can also give your council a ring to speak to someone on the phone. Part time students are often asked to pay for council tax but with exemptions, although sometimes they might get full exemptions because they study more than 20 hours a week, but they will have to ask their local council which category they fall under.

For you to receive tax exemption as a student, you will need to contact your local council or the person you live with would contact your local authority if you live with someone else, sometimes it can take a few minutes, days or even week. This all depends on how your own council operates. If you are lucky, your council might just ask you to give them your details such as name, university name and course, student identification number through a phone call, and they will electronically arrange the tax exemption while you are still on the call with them. Others can ask for your certificate of student status, and your school admissions office is usually responsible for issuing the certificate and sending it to the council.

DO STUDENTS PAY COUCIL TAX IF THEY LIVE WITH A NON-STUDENT?

As a full time, student living with other fulltime students and non-students, you are still exempted from council tax, however the household will receive their tax bill at their door, but only the non-student’s tenants will pay the tax. But if every tenant is a full-time student except one, then they will have to pay the tax themselves, and it is usually discounted to 25% single person discount. That is why most times it is advisable to choose your housemates carefully. it is usually discounted to 25% single person discount.

DO STUDENTS PAY COUNCIL TAX DURING SUMMER?

The answer to this question is NO!! As far as you remain a student you don’t pay council tax in summer holiday.

But if you stay in the UK outside study period, then you become liable to pay council tax. Secondly if you are also asked to pay tax during the summer period, you are liable for a refund.

STUDENT COUNCIL TAX EXEMPTION IN WALES

Just like every other territory, full time students are not also expected to pay tax in Wales, as long as they live in a flat, stay with other students and also in hall of residence. The tax bill is always sent to each property regardless of how many people are living there. One or more people may be liable to pay the bill although the household can choose how to divide it up. If no one lives in the property, the owner is responsible.

Care leavers are also exempted from council tax in Wales. An individual can be exempted from the Council Tax in Wales if a property that he or she stays, is occupied by several ‘care givers’ and where all the adult in the accommodation is a care support giver, an important person, or a person with severe mental health problem. But you must provide care for at least 35 hours a week and the person you care for must be entitled to one of the following: the enhanced or higher rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance that is the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment at any rate.

You could also get a 50% discount on your council tax as a carer when everyone else living in the property is falls under those exempted from tax payment. This also applies if there are 2 carers in the property. But if you are the only adult living with students and those qualified for an exemption in the property you can get the discount also. All you should do is contact your local council.

A brief description of Council Tax bands in Wales (based on 1 April 2003 values)