Council Tax

Council Tax support during the COVID-19 emergency

Mayor Ros Jones, along with the Council’s Cabinet and leadership team, has drawn up a £5m 10-point action plan to help the most vulnerable in Doncaster, and one of the points include a three month council tax holiday.

“We recognise the huge challenge that is before all of us and Doncaster Council is absolutely committed to supporting all our residents, especially our most vulnerable,” said Mayor Jones.

To help residents who are struggling to pay their Council Tax during the COVID-19 emergency, the following measures have been taken:

1. The option to take a 3 month Council Tax payment holiday has been made available

If you are struggling to pay as a result of the COVID-19 emergency you can opt to take a three month Council Tax payment holiday.

This is not a discount, but a break from paying for a three month period. This is available to anyone facing financial difficulty.

Anyone who thinks they need to access this support should telephone 01302 734454 where they will be able to discuss their circumstances.

Residents who take up this offer will be contacted at the end of the three month holiday (June) and will be issued with a new bill. The amount that is left owing will be collected over the remaining months of the year according to their instalment plan. If further assistance is required based on financial circumstances at that time, this will also be considered.  

2. We have temporarily suspended recovery action

In recognition that residents may be struggling to pay their Council Tax we have temporarily suspended recovery action. This means that we will not be sending reminders and summons to residents who fall behind on their payments. This will ensure that residents who are in difficulty do not incur additional costs.

3. Additional Local Council Tax Support has been made available

Mayor Ros Jones has also approved the award of further relief for people claiming Local Council Tax Support (LCTS) during 2020-21 from the Government’s COVID-19 hardship fund.

In addition, to LCTS which is based on a claimant’s financial circumstances, claimants will get up to £150 extra relief to help with Council Tax payments. This extra relief only applies to working age people and will be awarded to people currently in receipt of LCTS and anyone who makes a new claim for LCTS during 2020-21.

Where a Council Tax payer still has £150 or more to pay after the application of LCTS, they will be awarded an extra £150 relief.

Where a Council Tax payer has less than £150 to pay after the application of LCTS, they will be awarded whatever amount is left meaning they will have no Council Tax to pay for 2020-21.

Where a Council Tax payer gets full LCTS and therefore has no Council Tax to pay, no further relief can be paid based on the Government criteria.

These reliefs will be awarded automatically, there is no need to apply for the additional relief. The Council will write to all Council Tax payers who are awarded the additional relief over the next few weeks and revised Council Tax bills will be sent to them.

Do you know, live with, or care for somebody who is living with Alzheimer's or Dementia? Depending on the household circumstances, a Council Tax discount might apply. Visit the Council Tax discounts and exemptions page to learn more.