Council Tax

Council Tax is a property based charge and is one of the ways the council raises money to pay for local services such as education, social services, libraries, refuse collection, highways and street Lighting. A portion of the Council Tax is passed on to other precepting bodies to provide other services including police services (Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria) and fire and rescue services (Tyne & Wear Fire and Civil Defence Authority).

• What is Council Tax?

  Council Tax is a property-based charge and is one of the ways the council raises money to pay for local services such as education, social services, and libraries, refuse collection, highways and street lighting.

• Important changes affecting Council Tax

  Council Tax is administered under regulations set by central government. The Local Government Finance Act 2012 has changed legislation to some exemptions and discounts.

• Council Tax charges and bands

  Your home is placed into one of eight bands ranging from A to H according to its value in April 1991. Your bill will tell you which band your property is in.

• Council Tax payments

  Your Council Tax payment instalment must reach the council by the date shown on your bill. This is normally by 12 monthly instalments which are due by the 5th of each month from April to March.

• Problems paying Council Tax

  If you cannot pay your instalment by the due date shown on your bill or if you are having difficulty paying, do not wait, please contact us to make a payment arrangement.

• Council Tax appeals

  You have the right of appeal against the band your property has been placed in, or if you do not agree with any decision we make on your Council Tax bill, such as who should pay the bill or whether a discount or exemption should be awarded. Time limits apply, so don't delay.

• Council Tax discounts

  Your Council Tax bill assumes that there are at least two adults aged 18 years or over living in your home. If only one adult lives there as their main home the bill will be reduced by 25%

• Council Tax exemptions

  Some properties are exempt from Council Tax which means there is no charge to pay. Exempt properties can be empty or occupied but must fall in to one of the categories shown on these pages.

• Council Tax reductions

  If you are disabled, your Council Tax bill may be reduced to that of a property in the next lowest band.

• Council Tax Support

  If you are on a low income you may receive support to help you pay your Council Tax. You will not receive the money yourself. Instead it will be paid directly to you Council Tax bill.

• How your Council Tax is used

  In 2013-2014 we plan to spend over £694m to provide services for the 277,077 residents of Sunderland. Council Tax provides just 11% of Sunderland City Council's budgeted income.