Levelling up secretary urges people to check tax rebate eligibility
Anyone living in a property in council tax bands A-D is eligible for a £150 tax rebate as part of a scheme to help with the cost of living crisis. Around 90% of eligible households have received this by direct debit, but what should you do if you haven’t?
First announced in April, the £150 council tax rebate, part of the governments cost of living support package, has been paid to 90% of eligible houses in England. The payment is a one-off amount, and does not need to be repaid. Anyone living in a property in bands A-D on 1 April (in England) qualifies for the rebate. The rules for other parts of the UK may be different, for example some councils in Wales require the qualifying property to have been occupied in mid-February. You should check the criteria on your Local Authority’s website – a search for “cost of living support” should get you to the correct place.
If you pay by direct debit and you are eligible, there is a good chance you will have received a payment already. However, if you haven’t, it may be that the LA doesn’t have up-to-date bank details for you – for example if you pay annually using a card rather than by direct debit. The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Greg Clark, is urging people to check their eligibility now, as the closing date for the scheme is 30 September. You should contact your LA directly to discuss your eligibility and to register your claim.
If you live in a property in a higher band, you could still qualify if you are on a low income, or qualify under a discretionary exemption. These vary with each LA, so again you should contact your council as a matter of urgency to avoid missing out.
Related Topics
-
Payment deadline for corporation tax
-
HMRC targets undeclared consultancy income in the medical sector
HMRC is writing to people working in the medical sector where information supplied by private healthcare providers suggests that consultancy fees may have been omitted from their tax returns. Recipients have 30 days to check their position and respond. What should you do if you get a letter?
-
MONTHLY FOCUS: BUSINESS AND AGRICULTURAL PROPERTY RELIEF: WHAT DO THE NEW IHT RULES MEAN FOR YOU?
The inheritance tax treatment of businesses and farms changed fundamentally from 6 April 2026. The amount that can qualify for 100% business property relief and agricultural property relief is now capped, potentially leaving families with a significant tax bill for the first time. What has changed, and what should business owners and farmers be doing about it?