A MAP reveals how much council tax is going up in your area, including one local council which will hike it buy up over 9%.
Council tax is an annual fee you pay to your local council. The cost is set by your council and goes towards funding local services.
That means you could pay more or less depending on where you live.
The average council tax bill is set to rise by 5%, but millions more Brits face paying more.
For example, Somerset is raising bills by 7.49%, while Bradford has received permission for an increase of 9.99%.
For Bradford residents – living in a Band A property which is valued up to £40,000 – it marks an increase of £113.34 annually.
The borough of Windsor & Maidenhead has approved a rise of 8.99% this April.
The London borough of Newham has also agreed to increase the amount of council tax paid by residents to 8.99%.
In Newham a Band D home – which is valued over 68,000, – will see their annual bill rise by £130.
Birmingham has also been allowed to hike council tax to above the government-approved level to 7.49%.
Newham, Bradford and Birmingham, have been allowed to increase bills above 4.99% this year due to severe financial difficulties.
However, some areas across England have decided not to raise the fee by over 5%.
Sunderland has chosen a 4.49% and Doncaster and Derby have both opted for 3.99%, while North East Lincolnshire will increase bills by 3.98%.
Council tax in Essex will rise by 3.75% and in Rotherham by 3.00%.
Lincolnshire will boost bills by 2.99% while Wandsworth in London has approved the lowest increase in England of 2.00%, representing a freeze on the main element of council tax for the third year in a row.
A spokesperson for the Local Government Association, which represents councils across England, said that councils continue to face “severe funding shortages.”
They added: “This means that many councils have faced the tough choice about whether to increase bills to bring in desperately-needed funding to provide services at a time when they are acutely aware of the significant burden that could place on some households.
“However, while council tax is an important funding stream, the significant financial pressures facing local services cannot be met by council tax income alone. It also raises different amounts in different parts of the country – unrelated to need.”
Outside of England, many areas are facing hikes of up to 15%.
Last week councillors in Falkirk, Scotland approved the largest council tax increase in the UK.
The rise means that the average Band D household in the area, including parish charges, will see their annual bill increase from £1,363.82 to £1,576.57 – a 15.6% hike, amounting to an additional £212.75.
Check if you can claim a council tax refund
Over three million households are owed a combined total of £544million in council tax refunds, according to a Sun investigation last month.
The average refund due is around £178, but some could be owed as much as £3,659.
Sun Money submitted a Freedom of Information Request to all 349 local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales to find out just how much taxpayer money our councils are sitting on.
You can check to see how much cash your local authority might be sitting on by searching for your council in our tool.
It’s surprisingly easy to overpay your council tax, and millions of us do.
One of the main reasons is moving house.
Council tax is usually billed annually, from April to April, but paid in instalments.
This means you’re always paying some of it in advance.
Therefore, if you move out before the year’s end, you’ll likely be due a refund for the remaining months.
Another reason for over payments is a change in your property’s council tax band.
If the band is lowered, you’re due a refund for the over payments made at the higher rate.
Finally, forgetting to cancel your direct debit after moving out can lead to continued payments and further over payments.
Finding out if you’re owed a council tax refund is easier than you think.
Many councils have online claim forms available on their website
To find your local council’s site, visit gov.uk/find-local-council.
While some forms can be lengthy, claiming online is often the quickest way to get your money back.
If you’ve recently moved, you’ll likely need your old council tax reference number, which you can find on a previous bill.
If your council doesn’t have an online form, or if the form seems too daunting, you can contact them directly by phone, email, or live chat.
What council tax support is available?
THERE are several ways you can get discounts and reductions on your council tax bill.
In some cases, you can even get the bill completely wiped with a council tax reduction.
Factors such as your household income, whether you have children, and if you receive any benefits, will influence what you get.
To apply, visit https://www.gov.uk/apply-council-tax-reduction.
You’ll need your National Insurance number, bank statements, a recent payslip or letter from the Jobcentre, and a passport or driving licence when filling out the details.
Below, we reveal all the ways you can get discounts or a reduction on your bill:
Single person discount
If you live on your own, you can get 25% off your council tax bill.
This also applies if there is one adult and one student living together in a property, or if there is one adult and one person classed as severely mentally impaired in the home.
If you live with someone who doesn’t have to pay council tax, such as a carer or someone who is severely mentally impaired, you could get a larger reduction too, of up to 50%.
And, if you live in an all-student household, you could get a 100% discount.
Retirees
Pensioners may also find themselves eligible for a council tax reduction.
If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you could get a 100% discount.
If not, you could still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings.
And a pensioner who lives alone will be entitled to a 25% discount too.
Low-income households
If you are on a low income or receiving benefits, you could be eligible for a reduction on your council tax.
Whether you are eligible will vary depending on where you live.
You could also get a deferral if you’re struggling to pay your bill, or you can speak to your council about setting up a payment plan to manage the cost.
But one thing to remember is if you are struggling you should contact your council as early as you can.
