Council Tax Discounts

Discounts will apply in certain cases. They will reduce or eliminate the personal element. The Council Tax is based on the value of a dwelling. It assumes two adults in each dwelling.

The full bill consists of two elements:

• A property element
• A personal element

Please see the information below about the types of discounts available.

Online forms, where available, are published as PDF files. These may be printed for your use and should be returned to: Revenues Section, West Wiltshire DC, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 0RD. Most PCs open PDF files automatically but if you have any problems you can download the free Adobe Reader software from the Adobe website - click the icon below.

Single Person Discount

If only one adult lives in a dwelling (as their main home) the council tax bill is reduced by a quarter (25%).

If you think you may qualify complete the single person discount application form and return to us. Forms should be returned to: Revenues Section, West Wiltshire DC, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 0RD.

Empty Discount/ Second Homes

The council tax bill for an unoccupied property, or a second home, may attract a discount.

If you think you may qualify, please download an empty discount application form (pdf file, opens in new window).

Other Discounts

Apprentice

You will not be counted if you are an apprentice employed to learn a job and, as part of that learning, are undertaking training leading to a qualification recognised by the National Council for Vocation Qualifications. Your maximum income per week (before tax) must not exceed £195.

If you think you may qualify complete the apprentice discount application form. Forms should be returned to: Revenues Section, West Wiltshire DC, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 0RD.

Youth Training Trainee

You will not be counted if you are under 25 and are receiving training in line with an individual training plan under the Youth Training Scheme, such as TCT, Options, Future and Next Step.

If you think you may qualify complete the youth training trainee application form. Forms should be returned to: Revenues Section, West Wiltshire DC, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 0RD.

Student

You will not be counted if you are a student (or an overseas student) on a full-time or qualifying course of education.

You are a student if your are:

• Attending a university or college course which lasts for at least an academic year, takes at least 24 weeks a year and involves at least 21 hours of study per week during term-time; or
• Under the age of 20, and studying for more than three months and at least 12 hours per week for any qualifications up to A level, ONC or OND standard.

Correspondence courses, evening classes, or courses taken in connection with a person’s job, such as on day-release, are not included

Student nurses (see also below) studying academic courses at universities or who are on Project 2000 courses, are classed as students for council tax purposes.

Foreign language assistants registered with the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges are also treated as students.

You will not be counted if you are the spouse or dependent of a student, and not a British citizen, and prevented either from taking paid employment or from claiming benefits under the terms of your permission to be in the UK.

If you think you may qualify complete the student discount application form. Forms should be returned to: Revenues Section, West Wiltshire DC, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 0RD.

Student Nurse

You will not be counted if you are a student nurse on a course leading to registration on any of Parts 1 to 6, or 8 of the nursing Register. Only student nurses studying from their first inclusion on the Register are not counted.

Nurses who are already on the Register but are taking further courses are counted.

Student nurses studying academic courses at universities or who are on Project 2000 courses, are excluded from this definition as they are considered as students.

If you think you may qualify complete the student nurse discount application form. Forms should be returned to: Revenues Section, West Wiltshire DC, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 0RD.

18 and 19 year olds on Further Education

You will not be counted if you are 18 or 19 years old and are in full-time education (other than higher education). This includes people of that age who are at school or college and are on courses up to, and including, A level standard.

If you think you may qualify complete the Under 20 in education application form. Forms should be returned to: Revenues Section, West Wiltshire DC, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 0RD.

18 year olds still eligible for Child Benefit

Discounts may apply if a member of your household is over 18, but is still entitled to receive child benefit because they are still at school.

If you think you may qualify complete the 18 year olds eligible for child benefit application form. Forms should be returned to: Revenues Section, West Wiltshire DC, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 0RD.

Resident Hospital Patients

Discounts may apply if a member of a household leaves the property to go into hospital permanently, or does not intend to return to the property, but enter a nursing home, for example. Please click here for a hosital patient application form. Forms should be returned to: Revenues Section, West Wiltshire DC, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 0RD.

People who are Severely Mentally Impaired

Discounts may apply if a member of a household suffers from severe mental impairment and one of the following allowances is payable:

• Invalidity Pension
• Attendance Allowance
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance Care Component at two highest rates
• Disablement Pension Increment due to constant attendance needs

Please click here for a severe mental impairment discount application form. Forms should be returned to: Revenues Section, West Wiltshire DC, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 0RD.

Care Workers

Discounts may apply if a member of a household is living in the property to care for someone else. Please click here for a care worker discount application form. Forms should be returned to: Revenues Section, West Wiltshire DC, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 0RD.

People in Prison

Discounts may apply if a member of the household is not resident there due to being detained elsewhere. Please click here for a prisoner discount application form. Forms should be returned to: Revenues Section, West Wiltshire DC, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 0RD.

Members of Foreign Defence Organisations

Discounts may apply if a person(s) in the household is a member of a foreign defence organisation. Please click here for a foreign defence discount application form. Forms should be returned to: Revenues Section, West Wiltshire DC, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 0RD.

Persons Detained Under the Mental Health Act

Discounts may apply if a member of the household is detained under the Mental Health Act - please click here for a mental health act discount application form. Forms should be returned to: Revenues Section, West Wiltshire DC, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 0RD.

Patients in Care Homes

Discounts may apply if a member of the household is resident in a care or nursing home - please click here for a patient in care home discount application form. Forms should be returned to: Revenues Section, West Wiltshire DC, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 0RD.

Members of Religious Communities

This category refers mainly to monks and nuns, and certain conditions must be met before any discount can be considered. Persons belonging to the various religious denominations (e.g. Church of England, Methodist) and who may attend church on a regular basis are not included in this category. If you think you may qualify for discount under this category, please click here for a religious communities discount application form. Forms should be returned to: Revenues Section, West Wiltshire DC, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 0RD.

Disabled Reduction

A discount may apply if there is someone living in the property who is disabled and has had the property adapted to meet their needs. Please click here for a disabled reduction application form. Forms should be returned to: Revenues Section, West Wiltshire DC, Bradley Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 0RD.

Contact Us

If you require any help or have an enquiry we will be pleased to help.

Contact us in writing, by e-mail or by telephone:

Revenues and Benefits Service
West Wiltshire District Council
Bradley Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 0RD

Telephone: 01225 776655

E-mail: revenuesandbenefits@westwiltshire.gov.uk

We are here to help:

Monday - Thursday: 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday: 8:30am - 5:00pm