Council Tax Reduction
From 1 April 2013 council tax reduction (sometimes called council tax support) replaces council tax benefit, which has been abolished. Council tax reduction will be administered by Councils under Schemes that operate in Wales. These Schemes provide the rules that the Council will use to work out whether a person should be awarded council tax reduction to assist them to pay their council tax and, if so, how much.
If you do not understand the way the Council Tax Reduction Scheme has been applied in working out your council tax bill, you should speak to your local Council. Its contact details will be on your bill.
If you disagree with the decision the Council has made about your council tax reduction, you must first write to the Council to challenge its determination. The Council will have two months to respond to you.
If you are dissatisfied with the Council's response or it does not respond to you within two months, you will be able to appeal directly to the Valuation Tribunal.
You can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal against your Council's decision in respect of:
- whether you are entitled to a council tax reduction under its Scheme; or
- how much council tax reduction the Council has awarded you under its Scheme.
If you wish to appeal to the Valuation Tribunal, you can use the council tax reduction appeal form that can be downloaded from this page of the website and return it to the Regional Office of the Tribunal that covers your Council. Guidance notes that will assist you to complete the appeal form are also available to be downloaded from this page of the website.
This page of the website includes a copy of the guidance leaflets that will accompany the Notices that will be sent to you by the Valuation Tribunal after it has registered your appeal. Copies of the forms that you and the Council will be requested to complete following acknowledgement of the receipt of your appeal can also be found on this page.
If you require assistance in completing your council tax reduction appeal form, please contact the Regional Office of the Tribunal that covers your Council area. Contact details can be found on our Offices page.
The Valuation Tribunal does not deal with Housing Benefit appeals or issues concerning the non-payment of Council Tax.
