Council tax
Council tax is the main source of locally raised income for the council and is based on the 1991 value of your property. The money raised is used to fund not only council services but also the police and fire service. We administer council tax but have to work to regulations controlled by Central Government.
Most homes have to pay council tax with the person living in the property being responsible for paying council tax, if it is their main home and they are over 18 years old.
The amount of council tax you pay depends on the value of your home. People with more expensive properties pay more council tax.
Information on how your annual bill is made up for each council tax band is available on our bills page.
Do it online
- Register for Council Tax
- Inform us of a move
- Inform us of change in the liable person
- Apply for single person's discount
- Apply for disabled person's relief
You can also pay your council tax online - see our online payments page.
Useful documents
Your guide to council services in Plymouth
Direct debit form (additional payment options available on our how to pay your Council Tax page)
Common questions
What if there is more than one person living in the property?
If more than one person lives in the property, then the person who comes first on the following list has to pay:
- Owner who lives in the property
- Tenant who lives in the property
- Any person who lives in the property
- Owner who does not live in the property
Are residents always responsible?
The owners of the following types of property have to pay, not the people who live there:
- Residential care homes
- Houses split into different households
- Religious communities
- Houses for residential staff
- Certain properties for religious ministers
- Houses for asylum seekers
Help with paying your council tax
Depending on your income and family circumstances, you may be entitled to help with your council tax see our council tax benefit page. This benefit reduces your council tax bill.
We are currently running a campaign to promote Council Tax Benefit to make sure that people who are eligible are claiming. Take a look at our council tax benefit page for more information.
If you need information or help on any council tax matter please contact us.