Red Letters Campaign
Date published: 11th April 2023Council Tax Money Worries
Reduction Reminder
Exemption Embarrassed
Discount Deductions
Council tax is a system of local taxation collected by local authorities but the rules about who has to pay it are quite complicated. Some properties are exempt, and some people due to their circumstances are exempt. People and properties may also qualify for a discount and individuals may also qualify for a reduction. The RED Letters campaign aims to help Fifer’s understand, check and claim any entitlements that can reduce the amount of council tax they need to pay towards their ongoing liability but also to address any council tax arrears they may have from previous financial years.
The revenue collected by council tax helps Fife Council pay for services they deliver. You can find out more information on how the money is spent in Fife here: How your council tax is spent in Fife Council. It is important to know that Fife Council also collects water and sewerage charges on behalf of Scottish Water and these charges make up part of the amount you are billed for. Even if you get a reduction or discount on your council tax, you will still have to pay water and sewerage charges.
RED: Reduction, Exemption and Discount on Council Tax, what is the difference?
Reduction: The amount of Council Tax Reduction you may get depends on many factors including:
• The benefits you receive
• Your age
• Your income
• Your capital and savings
• Who you live with
• Your council tax band (bands E-H may qualify for a different type of Council tax reduction)
• Disability adaptations completed (Disablement Relief)
If you are unsure whether you are entitled to a Council tax Reduction, use the Fife Benefits Checker to find out and apply.
Exemption: This list is not exhaustive. If you receive a Council tax exemption, you are usually exempt from water and sewerage charges as well.
You may not have to pay Council tax if you are:
• Severely mentally Impaired*
• A care leaver aged between 18 and 26
• A full time student, apprentice or student nurse
• If you are being looked after in a care home
If you are unsure whether you are entitled to a Council Tax Exemption, find out and apply here:
Council tax discounts and exemptions | Fife Council
Discount: The Council Tax system assumes that there is more than one adult living in a property, but this isn’t always the case and a Council Tax discount is applied if you live on your own, or with someone who is exempt like:
• A full time student
• An Apprentice, Youth trainee or Skill Seeker
• Caring for someone, full time, in their own home who has a disability ( who is not your spouse, partner or child under 18)
• A person in detention, patient in hospital or residential home
• In receipt of Child Benefit for a member of your household who is over 18 years od age.
• A member of a religious community
If you are unsure if you are entitled to a Council Tax Discount, use the Fife Benefits checker to find out and apply
RED: Reminder, Embarrassed, Deductions and money worries, we want to help!
Reminder: If you have received a reminder letter for bills or a debt that has not been paid by the due date, we can help.
These letters often include RED ink and can refer to legal action being taken in the future, CCJ’s or defaults being placed on your credit file and requesting contact with your creditor to discuss repayment.
Embarrassed: Many people are embarrassed talking about their finances, particularly when things are tough. You may never have experienced financial difficulties before, or you may have carried these worries for many years. Regardless of who long, how much you are due or if you have used our service for advice before, we want to help.
Stop hiding the letters away, ignoring unknown numbers on your mobile and avoiding unannounced visitors to your door.
Deductions: Deductions from your benefits or your wages? This can make paying your ongoing bills and buying essentials even more of a challenge. If this is happening to you it is not too late to seek help. Regardless of who you are due money too, or how much is outstanding, CARF Money Advice team want to help.
Get advice and assistance from CARF’s money advice team. The service is free, confidential and impartial. Contact them by using the self-service portal link below, or telephone 03451 400 94 between 8:30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. If you are a social landlord tenant, you can ask your housing officer to refer you.
Home | CARF Money Advice (cabfife.org.uk)
