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Council Tax and Benefits

Here you will find general information about Council Tax and links to other areas of the website and external agencies which you may find helpful.

If you would like to know more about, or apply for Council Tax Benefit or Housing Benefit please see the Council Tax Benefit page.

General Information

Council Tax is a local tax in which householders make contributions towards Council funding to enable us to provide services to the community.

Your Council tax contributes to the cost of Council services, including:

Council Tax is not a direct charge based on usage of these services.

In Aberdeen there are over 100,000 households liable for Council Tax. Some dwellings, for instance, student residences and certain unoccupied dwellings, are exempt. For more information regarding Council Tax Discounts, please see the  Council Tax Discounts and Reductions section and the Council Tax Exemptions page.

How to Pay

Your Council Tax bill shows the current method of payment, the amount of each instalment and the due date by which payment must reach us.

Each year payment of Council Tax is required to be made over 10 monthly instalments, starting in April and finishing the following January.

Payments are due on the 1st of each month, unless you pay by Direct Debit which is due on either the 5th, 15th, 20th and 28th of each month.

Alternatively, you can pay in full for the year in a lump sum on or before 1st April.

Online

By Direct Debit

Direct Debit logo This is by far the easiest method of payment. Signing up for Direct Debit could not be easier. All you need to do is:

There are 4 payment dates to choose from - 5th, 15th, 20th and 28th of the month. We will send you confirmation of the agreed payment date and amounts.

Around 58% of Aberdeen's citizens pay their Council Tax by Direct Debit, which means that they benefit from:

  • No cheques to write
  • No payments to post
  • No more wasted time queuing to pay

Aberdeen City Council provides a guarantee of full security and makes no charge for this service.

By Telephone

Call our dedicated payment line on 08456 080920 where you can make payments for a range of Council Services. Or alternatively, our team of helpful, friendly Customer Care Assistants can accept your payment on 08456 080921 or 01224 219283.

By Standing Order

Contact us on 08456 080921 or 01224 219283 and we will send you a mandate to complete and send to your bank.

By Cash / Cheque / Electronic payment

You can pay by cash / cheque or electronic payment at the following locations:

How is the cost of my Council Tax worked out?

The normal council tax bill is based on 50 per cent property element and 25 per cent each for two (or more) people in residence.

Your Council Tax bill is based on a banding determined by an Assessor working for Grampian Valuation Joint Board.

If you have an enquiry or wish to appeal against the valuation banding shown on your bill please contact:

  • Grampian Valuation Joint Board
    Woodhill House
    Westburn Road
    Aberdeen, AB16 5GE.
    Tel. No. 01224 664360 or email them at: assessor@grampian-vjb.gov.uk

E-Billing and Self Service Facility

A Self Service Facility is available for all citizens who have Council Tax, Council Tax Benefit or Housing Benefit accounts. This provides citizens secure "round the clock" access to details held on their individual accounts.

The secure connection also allows you to set up Direct Debit payments for Council Tax or amend their details for existing Direct Debit payments (e.g. Change of Bank account details or collection date)

Once registered, you can help us to be environmentally friendly and save on paper by requesting an e-bill.

To register and request a pin number to be posted to you please see the  Self Service for Council Tax and Benefits page.

Contact - write to us

  • Revenues and Benefits
    Corporate Governance
    Business Hub 16
    Third Floor West, Marischal College
    Broad Street
    Aberdeen, AB10 1AB
    Email: counciltax@aberdeencity.gov.uk
    Fax: 01224 346700

Contact - visit us in person

Council Tax/Housing Benefit Fraud

If you wish to report a Council Tax or Housing Benefit fraud, please phone us on 08456 080921 or 01224 219283, email us at benefitfraud@aberdeencity.gov.uk, or write to us:

  • Fraud Investigation
    Corporate Governance
    Business Hub 16
    Third Floor West, Marischal College
    Broad Street
    Aberdeen, AB10 1AB
Please be assured that any information you provide will be treated as strictly confidential and at no time will it be divulged to the concerned person(s). There are provisions contained in the Data Protection Act 1998 that allow us to restrict the information we supply if the benefit claimant submits a subject access request.

Frequently Asked Questions