Council Tax Bands Explained: The Full UK List
Quick answer
Council tax bands rank homes by their estimated value on 1 April 1991 in England and Scotland, and 2003 in Wales. England has eight bands, A to H, with Band A the cheapest and Band H the most expensive. The Valuation Office Agency sets your band; your council sets the price.
UK council tax bands (England) and what each pays
| Band | 1991 property value (England) | Share of a Band D bill |
|---|---|---|
| A | Up to £40,000 | 67% (6/9) |
| B | £40,001 to £52,000 | 78% (7/9) |
| C | £52,001 to £68,000 | 89% (8/9) |
| D | £68,001 to £88,000 | 100% (9/9) |
| E | £88,001 to £120,000 | 122% (11/9) |
| F | £120,001 to £160,000 | 144% (13/9) |
| G | £160,001 to £320,000 | 167% (15/9) |
| H | More than £320,000 | 200% (18/9) |
Your council tax band is a value bracket, not a bill. In England and Scotland it reflects what your home would have sold for on 1 April 1991; Wales uses 2003 values. The Valuation Office Agency assigns the band, and your local council decides each year how many pounds that band costs. The table above lists all eight England bands with their 1991 value ranges and, in the third column, what each band pays as a share of the Band D rate.
That third column is the part most band lists leave out. The bands are locked in a fixed ratio measured in ninths, so a Band H home pays exactly three times a Band A home despite being worth at least eight times as much. As a share of the property's value, the cheaper home pays the higher rate, which is why council tax is called regressive.
For the full mechanism, and why the 1991 freeze survives, see how council tax bands are calculated. For the reform economists have backed for a century, read land value tax, and for the wider pattern of taxes that bite through frozen numbers, see the UK's stealth taxes.
Council tax bands and the rules around them are set by government and can change. Check your own band with your local council or the GOV.UK band checker.
Frequently asked questions
What are the council tax bands in the UK?
England and Scotland have eight bands, A to H, based on 1 April 1991 property values. Wales has nine bands, A to I, based on 2003 values. Northern Ireland uses domestic rates on a 2005 capital value rather than bands.
What date are council tax bands based on?
In England and Scotland, your band is based on what your home would have sold for on 1 April 1991. Wales revalued to 1 April 2003. England has never revalued, so the bands are over thirty years out of date.
Is Band A or Band H more expensive?
Band H is the most expensive and Band A the cheapest. Bands run cheapest to dearest in alphabetical order. A Band H home pays three times a Band A home, though it was worth at least eight times as much in 1991.
How do I find out my council tax band?
Use the free GOV.UK "Check your Council Tax band" service. You can look up your own band and any neighbouring property, which is useful evidence if you think your band is set too high and want to challenge it.
Do Scotland and Wales use the same bands as England?
Scotland uses the same 1991 date and A to H bands but raised the multipliers on bands E to H in 2017. Wales revalued to 2003 values and added a ninth band, Band I, for the most expensive homes.
Sources
General information, not financial advice. Tax rules and figures can change; check the current position on gov.uk before acting.