Information about your council tax bill

What is council tax

What is Council Tax transcript 2023 (PDF, 111.8kb)

Understanding your council tax bill

Understanding your Council Tax bill 2023 (PDF, 143.2kb)

Each year:

• we empty over 6 million rubbish bins and 6 million recycling bins every year
• we recycle and compost over 93,000 tonnes of material from kerbside collections and household waste recycling centres
• we support 262 schools and a pupil referral unit, ensuring children have the opportunities to reach their full potential
• we provide job support to help deliver the County Durham Inclusive Economic Strategy's vision to create more and better jobs in an inclusive, green economy
• we invest in our leisure centres, parks and open spaces, supporting our health and wellbeing strategy for the people of County Durham
• we provide adult and children social care services for the most vulnerable people in our community

Council tax is also made up of charges for the police, fire service, town and parish councils and the Charter Trust for the City of Durham.

This year's council tax bill

This year there will be an increase of 2.99 per cent in the core element of council tax, shown as 3 per cent on your bill, as we must show the figure to one decimal place. Your bill also includes a separate adult social care precept of 2 per cent to help meet the rising costs of adult social care services for vulnerable adults. This is in line with Government guidance and expectations. 

More information about council tax and budgets for the current year is available below:

• Your guide to council tax 2023/2024 (PDF, 567.5kb)
• County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service: About Your Council Tax
• Durham Police, Crime and Victims' Commissioner council tax information

Financial and mental health support

We know that rising costs are affecting many households,  financial and mental health support (PDF, 407.9kb)  information has been included with this years bill to help anyone affected. Our pages Help with your money and Look after your mental health have even more information to help guide you to the support you need.  

How we calculate council tax

See Council tax bands and how much you pay to understand how we calculate your council tax.

Get money off your council tax bill

You may be entitled to a reduction in the amount of council tax you pay, depending on your circumstances:

• Council Tax Reduction scheme - if you are on a low income and have less than £16,000 savings, you may be able to claim this
• Single person discount - claim 25% discount if you live on your own
• Money off council tax for people with a severe mental impairment
• Money off council tax for disabled people
• Money off council tax for care leavers
• Council tax on empty properties and second homes - If you own an empty property, you still have to pay the full council tax on that property. If the property has been empty for more than two years, your property will be liable for additional charges, known as a premium. In some circumstances you may be able to apply for a discount on the amount of council tax you pay on your empty property.
• Money off council tax for students
• Money off council tax for apprentices and National Traineeship trainees
• Properties exempt from council tax

See Get money off your council tax bill for a full list of council tax discounts.

Support if you are struggling to pay

If you're having problems paying instalments on time, speak to us as soon as you can. We'll look to see if you are eligible for any of the above discounts, or consider whether you are eligible for Council tax hardship relief. Also see our benefits and support information.

Save time - do it online

Register for secure access to your council tax account online and you'll be able to view your information at any time without needing to keep track of or store paper bills. See View your council tax account online.

If you think your bill is not correct

You can make an appeal about council tax if you think your band is incorrect, or if you think your bill is calculated incorrectly. For example, if you think you should be receiving a discount or exemption, or if you think you're not the person who should be paying the council tax bill.