Council tax

About Council tax

What is Council tax?

Council tax is a locally set tax that is payable on all domestic properties. In most cases there will be one bill per property, whether it is a house, bungalow, flat, maisonette, mobile home or houseboat, and whether it is owned or rented.

Who is liable for Council tax?

Normally the occupier of a property is the person liable to pay Council tax. Under certain circumstance the owner may be liable even though they do not live in the property but other people do.

Council tax valuation bands

All domestic properties are subject to council tax. Each property is allocated one of eight valuation bands by the valuation office according to its open market value as at 1st April 1991.

Frequently asked questions

Your questions answered regarding all kinds of Council tax enquiries including discounts and exemptions, moving house and accounts in arrears. Also contains links to pages with a more detailed explaination of certain queries.

Council tax links

Links to websites with advice and information regarding council tax. There are also links to the local authority websites that neighbour Blackburn with Darwen.

Payments and charges

Your Council tax for 2010/11

The Council tax charges for the financial year 2010/11.

Council tax for 2009/10

The Council tax charges for the financial year 2009/10. 

Darwen town council FAQs

Frequently asked questions about Darwen town council

How to pay your Council tax

It has never been easier to pay your Council tax. There are now several ways you can do so including direct debit which is the easiest and simplest method of payment.

Where and when to pay your Council tax

Payment offices are based in Blackburn and Darwen Town Halls. The opening times are as available here.

Payment problems

Please tell us immediately if you think that you are going to find it difficult to pay your Council tax. We will give you advice and take into account your circumstances.

Discounts, benefits and exemptions

Exemptions

Certain type of properties are exempt from Council tax. The different types of exemptions are called classes, they are set by the government and are the same throughout the country.

Discounts

The full Council tax bill assumes that there are two adults aged 18 or over living in a property. If there is only one adult living there as their main home, the council tax bill will be reduced by 25%. If a property is no-one’s main home the bill will be reduced by 50%.

Reductions for disabled people

If you or a person who lives with you meets the criteria set out on this page you could qualify for a reduction in your Council tax.

Council tax benefit

Council tax benefit helps towards the cost of Council tax for people who have a low income. Anyone who has to pay Council tax for their home can claim.

Changes in your circumstances

Reporting changes

It is important to tell us of any change in your circumstance straight away. These include anyone coming to stay with you, or anyone moving out.

Moving house

You may pay less Council tax if you move house but you must tell the Council immediately. Please tell us as soon as possible so that we can correct your bill or send you a refund if you have overpaid.

Contacting us

Who to contact about Council tax queries

There are many ways to contact us within the Council tax service. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have a general enquiry or wish to contact us regarding any Council tax matter.

Council tax forms

Here are the all forms available on Council tax for quick access. Certain forms are for printing out and others are available as documents for you to fill in online.

Send us your comments or enquiries

Use this form to make an enquiry or to send us your comments about Council tax.

Surveys and e-billing

Payment method survey

Please take a few seconds to complete our survey to find out how you feel is the easiest way of paying your Council tax

Customer satisfaction survey

Help us to keep this website as user friendly as possible by taking a few seconds to answer our user satisfaction survey.

E-billing

We are now able to provide a service that will enable you to get your Council tax bill by email.

Please remember to quote your council tax account number in any correspondance with us