Martin Lewis warns millions could face paying £100s more on council tax bills & reveals who could be affected

MARTIN Lewis has warned tens of millions of Brits that they may face paying a whole lot of kilos extra on their council tax payments.

The Cash Saving Skilled spoke out amid stories the Labour Social gathering authorities might axe the 25 per cent single-person low cost.

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Martin warned on X: “Stories out that the govt. hasn’t dominated out ending the 25 per cent single particular person council tax low cost.

“Clearly this could be a painful hit for single adults and single dad or mum households.”

Sir Keir Starmer refused to rule out the change when requested about it throughout Prime Minister’s questions on Wednesday, saying he wouldn’t “pre-empt the funds.”

Cash whizz Martin additionally questioned whether or not these with Extreme Medical Impairments may very well be affected in the event that they lived with one other grownup.

And the monetary knowledgeable claimed that any substantial council tax adjustments shouldn’t be achieved till a re-banding is full with as much as 400,000 properties within the unsuitable band.

Scrapping the 25 per cent single-person council tax low cost would save the general public purse £3 billion a yr, in keeping with the Institute for Fiscal Research.

It cuts round £543 per yr from the typical Band D council tax invoice in 2024-25.

Nonetheless, it is essential to notice that any determination to axe council tax reductions continues to be speculative at this stage.

Any adjustments introduced within the funds would even be unlikely to come back in immediately.

The present low cost is accessible to households with one grownup particular person residing inside, or a family with one single grownup and others who do not rely as having to pay council tax.

This implies if somebody is severely mentally impaired, a carer, in hospital, a care dwelling or hostel, has one other foremost residence, or is a scholar, youth trainee or apprentice.

For instance, if one single grownup lives with a scholar, they will get 25 per cent off their council tax.

The 25 per cent single particular person low cost additionally applies to widows residing alone after a accomplice.

Given the present common Band D council tax invoice in England for 2024-25 is £2,171, scrapping the 25 per cent low cost can be price £542.75 a yr.

It comes with tens of millions of pensioners set to lose out on the winter gas cost after the Authorities confirmed it might develop into means-tested.

Assist you may get paying your council tax

It isn’t simply single folks, because it stands, who can get a reduction on their council tax.

You too can get cash off the precedence invoice if you happen to meet different standards, together with in case you are a family of scholars.

For those who dwell in family with a carer you possibly can rise up to 50% off and generally if your property is present process main restore work too.

There are a number of different methods you may get a reduction:

Retirees

Pensioners may get a council tax low cost, together with these on the Assure Credit score aspect of Pension Credit score who can get 100% off.

If not, you could possibly nonetheless get assist when you have a low earnings and fewer than £16,000 in financial savings.

And naturally, in case you are a pensioner residing alone however not on the Assure Credit score aspect of Pension Credit score, you possibly can nonetheless get 25% off.

Low-income households

Low-income households or these on advantages may apply for a discount on their council tax.

Whether or not you might be eligible depends upon the place you reside.

You could possibly additionally get a deferral if you happen to’re struggling to pay your invoice, or you possibly can communicate to your council about organising a cost plan to handle the associated fee.

If somebody has died

For those who’re promoting a property as a result of the proprietor has died, you don’t pay council tax till after probate is granted, so long as the home stays empty.

After probate, you may be capable of get a six-month exemption, so long as the property stays empty and possession hasn’t modified fingers.

Different council tax invoice assist

For those who’re not eligible for a council tax low cost or cannot transfer bands, there are another choices.

Part 13A aid

You may make an utility for what is known as “discretionary aid” to your council tax invoice by filling out a Part 13A utility.

All native authorities should have a Part 13A scheme the place an individual can request for his or her council tax to be lowered or written off.

However you’ll most probably need to show you might be in monetary hardship and all different avenues to get cash off the invoice have been explored.

You may request a Part 13A type out of your native council.

When you’ve despatched it to your native authority, try to be instructed a couple of determination inside 14 days.

Council tax incapacity discount scheme

You may get your invoice slashed if you happen to or somebody in your house is classed as “considerably and completely disabled” and one of many following applies:

there is a room within the property which is used to satisfy your wants (equivalent to for the needs of dialysis or the storage of well being gear)there is a second lavatory or kitchen designed to satisfy your needsthere’s sufficient area in your house to permit wheelchair entry

If the above standards is met, your council tax invoice is lowered to the subsequent lowest band.