Helpful information
Details of all your income, e.g. earnings, state pension, occupational pension, disability benefit, attendance allowance or other state benefits.
If you are married, in a civil partnership, or living with someone as a couple, what is your partner’s income, including any benefits? We need to know this as you will be assessed as a couple. If you have anyone else living with you, we need to know about that too – see below.
How much money do you have in savings, investments and other capital?
How much is your annual Council Tax bill and do you get any discounts?
Do you pay rent, service charges or mortgage? How much?
Do you have anyone else (e.g. grown-up children) living with you? Are they in employment or on benefits? What is their income?
Does anyone receive Carer's Allowance or a Universal Credit carer element for looking after you or anyone in your household?
- Your income
- Your savings and investments
- The amount of your Council Tax
- Other people who live with you.
How much Council Tax Support could you receive?
The calculator is a handy tool to help you determine how much support you may receive towards your Council Tax bill. It is much easier to use this calculator if you check the guidance notes first (see below)
Try our calculator here
Alternatively, you can follow the step-by-step guide below to get an indication of how the proposed changes might affect you.
Step 1
If you receive Carer’s Allowance you will receive 90% support under the proposals, jump to Step 2.
To understand how much Council Tax you would be required to pay under the new proposals you will need to identify which of 5 income bands your household falls into. The earnings applicable to each band are different depending on the make up of your household, if you are single use the first table if you are cohabiting use the second.
Table 1 - Monthly Net Earnings Bands (Single) | ||||
Single | Single, 1 child | Single, 2+ children | ||
Band | % Support | Earnings range | Earnings range | Earnings range |
1 | 75% | 0 - £346.40 | 0 - £389.70 | 0 - £476.30 |
2 | 60% | £346.41 - £519.60 | £389.71 - £562.90 | £476.31 - £649.50 |
3 | 45% | £519.61 - £692.80 | £562.91 - £736.10 | £649.51 - £822.70 |
4 | 30% | £692.81 - £866.00 | £736.11 - £909.30 | £822.71 - £995.90 |
5 | 15% | £866.01 - £1,039.20 | £909.31 -£ 1,082.50 | £995.91 - £1,169.10 |
Table 2 – Monthly Net Earnings Bands (Couple)
| ||||
|
| Couple | Couple, 1 child | Couple, 2+ children |
Band | Support | Earnings range | Earnings range | Earnings range |
1 | 75% | 0 – £433.00 | 0 – £476.30 | 0 – £562.90 |
2 | 60% | £433.01 – £606.20 | £476.31 – £649.50 | £562.91 – £736.10 |
3 | 45% | £606.21 – £779.40 | £649.51 – £822.70 | £736.11 – £909.30 |
4 | 30% | £779.41 – £952.60 | £822.71 – £995.90 | £909.31 – £1,082.50 |
5 | 15% | £952.61 – £1,125.80 | £995.91 – £1,169.00 | £1,082.51 – £1,255.70 |
To see how much your monthly Council Tax payment will be go to Step 3.
Step 2
Use the Council Tax Band of your property to find out how much the estimated full Council Tax charge will be for your property. The table below shows how much the estimated Council Tax for each Band from April 2025 and how much Carer’s will pay each month.
Table 3 - Council Tax Band and Carer's Council Tax monthly payment | ||
Council Tax Band | 2025/26 | Carer |
A | £1,393.57 | £11.61 |
B | £1,625.83 | £13.55 |
C | £1,858.09 | £15.48 |
D | £2,090.36 | £17.42 |
E | £2,554.89 | £21.29 |
F | £3,019.41 | £25.16 |
G | £3,483.94 | £29.03 |
H | £4,180.72 | £34.84 |
Note: if you are eligible for Single Person Discount, your monthly payment will be reduced by 25%.
Step 3
The income band will determine the level of support you could get, this is shown as a percentage reduction that will be applied to your Council Tax charge for the year. The amount you will pay each month after the Council Tax Support has been applied and the full Council Tax for those getting no support is shown in the tables below.
Table 4 - Monthly Council Tax 2025/26, income bands 1 to 3 | |||
Council Tax Band | Income band 1 £s | Income band 2 £s | Income band 3 £s |
A | 29.03 | 46.45 | 63.87 |
B | 33.87 | 54.19 | 74.52 |
C | 38.71 | 61.94 | 85.16 |
D | 43.55 | 69.68 | 95.81 |
E | 53.23 | 85.16 | 117.10 |
F | 62.90 | 100.65 | 138.39 |
G | 72.58 | 116.13 | 159.68 |
H | 87.10 | 139.36 | 191.62 |
Note: if you are eligible for Single Person Discount, your monthly payment will be reduced by 25%.
Table 5 - Monthly Council Tax 2025/26, income bands 4 to 5 and with no support | |||
Council Tax Band | Income band 4 £s | Income band 5 £s | No Support £s |
A | 81.29 | 98.71 | 116.13 |
B | 94.84 | 115.16 | 135.49 |
C | 108.39 | 131.61 | 154.84 |
D | 121.94 | 148.07 | 174.20 |
E | 149.04 | 180.97 | 212.91 |
F | 176.13 | 213.87 | 251.62 |
G | 203.23 | 246.78 | 290.33 |
H | 243.88 | 296.13 | 348.39 |
Note: if you are eligible for Single Person Discount, your monthly payment will be reduced by 25%.
Step 4
If you are currently claiming Council Tax Support the amount you pay is a fixed contribution determined by your earned income as per the table below.
Table 6 - Council Tax Support current scheme | |
Income Band (Monthly up to) | Monthly Contribution |
£250 | £0.00 |
£500 | £40.00 |
£1,000 | £80.00 |
£1,500 | £125.00 |
£2,000 | £175.00 |
Note: if you are eligible for Single Person Discount, your monthly payment will be reduced by 25%.
Guidance notes for using the Council Tax Support Calculator
What is this calculator for?
This calculator is designed to help you determine how much support you are entitled to with your Council Tax bill under the proposed Council Tax Support scheme being consulted on.
Before you start
Before you start to use the calculator, there are a few things you will need to know. It will be easier for you to work through all the questions if you have gathered this information for you and your partner, if you have one.
You may be asked to enter your income from benefits. If you don’t know how much you get, your most recent award letter will tell you. If you are not sure of the name of the benefit you get, please see the 'How to tell which benefits you receive' section below.
If you don’t have the exact information that you need, it is possible to complete the process using estimates, but please be aware that the results may not be correct for you.
How to tell which benefits you receive
It is important that you tell us how much you get from each benefit separately, as different rules apply to income from different benefits.
If you have an award letter from the Department for Work and Pensions this will tell you the name of the benefit(s) you receive. This is the best way to find out how much you currently receive in benefits.
Alternatively, when DWP put money into your bank account there is normally a label attached to the relevant line on your bank statement showing the initials of the benefit you get.
Please also note that if you pay tax it is important that you enter your net income from benefits, after any tax due has been paid.
Tips for using this calculator
If you have not used this calculator before the following tips may be useful:
Information buttons
Next to most questions you will find a button. Clicking the button will help you to find out more about what the question is asking for.
Links
There is a lot of information about the benefit system and we couldn't put all of it on one page at once. So if you come across a question and want to know more, check to see if any of the help text is underlined. If it is, you can click on the underlined word to find out more.
Pound signs
If the question is asking you for an amount of money, for example 'how much is your rent', there should be a £ sign already in the box. You don’t need to put the £ sign in yourself.
Boxes
Some of the questions have multiple choice options displayed in boxes. If you click on the box with the answer you want to select this means you are answering 'yes' to that option.
Drop-down menu
Some of the questions will have a range of answers, the first option will be displayed in a box with an arrow next to it. If the answer box has arrows you can click on the arrows and a 'drop-down box' will appear showing all the other possible answers. Move your mouse over the options and click the one you want. The drop-down box will stay there until you select an answer or click somewhere else on the screen.
If you’re struggling with this calculator
Please call the Hounslow Revenues team on 0208 583 4751 and a member of staff will be happy to walk you through the steps involved in using the calculator.
Case studies
Single person who is a carer
| |
John is a single person.
He is a carer for his mother who lives separately from him.
John lives in a Council Tax Band A property.
John has no earnings | Under the current scheme John receives 100% Council Tax Support and he pays nothing towards his Council Tax Bill.
Under the proposed scheme John will get a 90% reduction as he is a carer, as well as Single Person Discount.
He would need to pay £8.71 per month towards his Council Tax Bill.
John will pay £8.71 more per month under the proposed scheme. |
Single person with no children
| |
Janet is a single person.
She has no children.
Janet lives in a Council Tax Band B property.
Janet earns £800 per month | Under the current scheme Janet pays £60 towards her Council Tax Bill (including Single Person Discount).
Under the proposed scheme Janet will get a 30% reduction in her Council Tax Bill, as well as Single Person Discount.
She would need to pay £71.13 per month towards his Council Tax Bill.
Janet will pay £11.13 more per month under the proposed scheme. |
A couple, one of whom is a carer
| |
Mike is a carer for his wife Elaine.
They in a Council Tax Band C property.
Neither Mike or Elaine work and they have no savings. | Under the current scheme Mike and Elaine receive 100% Council Tax Support and pay nothing towards their Council Tax Bill.
Under the proposed scheme They would receive a 90% reduction on their Council Tax Bill as Mike is a carer.
They would need to pay £15.48 per month towards their Council Tax Bill.
Mike and Elaine will pay £15.48 more per month under the proposed scheme. |
Single person with a disability
| |
Asha is a single person and has a disability.
She has no children.
Asha lives in a Council Tax Band D property.
Asha earns £400 per month | Under the current scheme Asha pays £30 towards her Council Tax Bill (including Single Person Discount).
Under the proposed scheme She will get a 60% reduction in her Council Tax Bill, as well as Single Person Discount.
She would need to pay £52.26 per month towards his Council Tax Bill.
Asha will pay £22.26 more per month under the proposed scheme. |
Single parent with children
| |
Janice is a single parent with two children.
They live in a Council Tax Band D property.
Janice earns £600 per month | Under the current scheme Janice pays £60 towards her Council Tax Bill (including Single Person Discount).
Under the proposed scheme She will get a 60% reduction in her Council Tax Bill, as well as Single Person Discount (a further 25% reduction).
She would need to pay £52.26 per month towards his Council Tax Bill.
Janice will pay £7.74 less per month under the proposed scheme. |
A couple with no children
| |
Simon and Carla are an unmarried couple with no children.
They in a Council Tax Band E property.
They earn a total of £1,100 per month. | Under the current scheme Simon and Carla pay £125 per month in Council Tax.
Under the proposed scheme They would receive a 15% reduction on their Council Tax Bill.
They would need to pay £180.97 per month towards their Council Tax Bill.
Simon and Carla will pay £55.97 more per month under the proposed scheme. |
A couple with three children
| |
Tom and Wendy are a married couple with three children.
They in a Council Tax Band F property.
They earn a total of £1,125 per month. | Under the current scheme Tom and Wendy pay £125 per month in Council Tax.
Under the proposed scheme They would receive a 15% reduction on their Council Tax Bill.
They would need to pay £213.88 per month towards their Council Tax Bill.
Tom and Wendy will pay £88.88 more per month under the proposed scheme. |
A couple with two children
| |
Angad and Harkirat are a married couple with no children.
They in a Council Tax Band C property.
They earn a total of £750 per month. | Under the current scheme Angad and Harkirat pay £80 per month in Council Tax.
Under the proposed scheme They would receive a 60% reduction on their Council Tax Bill.
They would need to pay £61.94 per month towards their Council Tax Bill.
Angad and Harkirat will pay £18.06 less per month under the proposed scheme. |
Frequently asked questions
Council Tax Support Scheme FAQs
Council Tax is a charge which is usually paid by the people living in a residential property. The full charge assumes that there are at least two adults living in the property. If there is only one occupant in the home, they may be eligible for a 25% discount. There are exemptions and discounts for properties that are empty or occupied by certain people.
Council Tax Support is a local Council Tax discount which replaced Council Tax Benefit from 1st April 2013 and where applicable, it is shown as a reduction on your Council Tax bill. It is it based upon your household income (means tested) to help you pay your Council Tax and the amount you get depends on things like:
What do you mean by working age?
Any adult who is under the age of 66.
What do you mean by pension age?
The current pension age in the UK is 66 years old for both men and women.
Do the proposed changes apply to pensioners?
No. The Council Tax Support scheme for people of pension age is set by central Government, so the proposed changes do not affect pension age households.
Will the proposed changes mean I will have to pay more or less Council Tax?
The proposed changes mean everyone will be required to pay towards their Council Tax liability.
What if I cannot afford to pay more towards my Council Tax?
If you are experiencing difficulties, please make early contact with the Council Tax department. If you talk to us, we will do our best to ensure you're getting the right support and to agree with you on an affordable payment plan.
Your annual Council Tax bill will usually be spread over 10 monthly instalments. We might be able to spread this over 12 monthly instalments if you contact us.
What if I contact you about my Council Tax to arrange a payment plan but still face hardship?
The Council proposes a support fund to help those in the greatest need. The Council will aim to provide households, who currently receive full Council Tax Support, with the right assistance and agree where possible and affordable payment plans.
Could a change in my income mean I move income band?
If your or your partner's earnings changes, you could stay within the same band or move up or down a band. This outcome depends on how near your weekly earnings is to the next band and how much your earnings change by.
How will I know how much Council Tax Support I am due?
A letter will tell you of your Council Tax Support award and details of how it has been calculated. You will also be issued a revised Council Tax bill.
Yes. If you receive Council Tax Support and have a change in circumstances since your last award, you must tell us. Examples of a change in circumstance could be a person may have moved in or out of your property, or you may have had an increase in your household’s income, savings. or capital.
What can I do if I do not agree with the level of Council Tax Support I am awarded?
You can ask for a revision of the decision. You will need to tell us the reasons why you think your Council Tax Support is wrong and provide any relevant supporting documents.
If you still do not agree with our decision after we have looked at your revision request, you can submit an appeal which will be looked at by the Valuation Tribunal, who are independent from the council.
I don’t get Council Tax Support, but can I still take part?
Council Tax Support is paid for by every taxpayer in Hounslow so it’s important you still get involved and have your say, regardless of whether you receive it or not.
We are keen for all interested parties to have the chance to tell us their views. Proposed changes could affect you even if you do not receive Council Tax Support, as it may mean either paying more Council Tax or cuts to local services.
What are non-dependants and non-dependant deductions?
Non-dependants are certain adults who live with you who are aged 21 or over but are not liable for paying rent under a formal arrangement.
Non-dependant deductions are reductions in Council Tax Support for some adults who normally live in your home. Non-dependants are usually expected to contribute something towards your household bills including any rent and council tax. A charge is taken from the award of Council Tax Support, depending on the income of the non-dependant.
Earned income is any income that you receive from a job or self-employment.
Will this change impact my entitlement to other benefits?
No – your Universal Credit or Housing Benefit entitlement is not impacted by a change in the level of Council Tax Support you receive. Council Tax Support is not considered when calculating entitlement to other benefits.
How do we define a carer for this proposal?
For our proposal, a carer is defined as someone who is in receipt of Carer's Allowance.
Can I respond on behalf of someone else?
Yes, you can respond on behalf of a family member or a friend, if you are completing it with them. You must complete the consultation with responses from the person, not your own views. You should register and complete the survey and when prompted state who you are and what your relationship is to the respondent. Preferably you should complete an online consultation, if this is not possible please contact Patricia Kanneh-Fitzgerald via consult@hounslow.gov.uk
How do groups or professional organisations submit a response to the proposal?
Any professional organisation or community-led group can submit a response. Please register and open the consultation and state your name and your relationship to Hounslow residents when prompted in the consultation.
If your group would benefit from an officer talking through these proposals and supporting residents to submit their responses, please contact Patricia Kanneh-Fitzgerald via consult@hounslow.gov.uk
Accessing the information on this page
A computer browser should offer you a read aloud option. This webpage and the consultation can be read to you by that tool. Your browser's translation tool should be able to translate the text on this page. If you need any further help please contact consult@hounslow.gov.uk