Council Tax

How to pay Council Tax to your local district or borough council in Suffolk and learn about our saving and spending plans for 2025 to 2026.

If you meet the Council Tax criteria as a Suffolk resident, you have to pay Council Tax to support funding for:

Your district or borough council collects your Council Tax. It is then distributed to the organisations listed above.

How to pay council Tax

Each Council Tax year runs from 1 April to 31 March. Before the start of each Council Tax year, your district or borough council will send you a single bill which details the amount of Council Tax owed to the organisations listed above.

You will not receive a separate bill from Suffolk County Council for its portion of your Council Tax.

Find more details of the Council Tax billing and collection arrangements for each district and borough council:

You can enter your postcode on GOV.UK to find your local council.

Council Tax changes for 2025-2026

Suffolk County Council agreed its 2025-26 Revenue Budget an 2025-29 Capital Programme at its meeting on Thursday 13 February 2025.

As part of this, the council agreed to increase its portion of Council Tax by a total of 4.99% for the year 2025-26 (from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026) for Suffolk householders.

The 4.99% rise comprises:

  • an increase in the element relating to county-wide services equivalent to a 2.99% rise in total Council Tax; and
  • an increase in the element ring-fenced to help fund Adult Social Care (the Adult Social Care Precept) equivalent to a 2.00% rise in total Council Tax.

Apply for Council Tax reduction

This is sometimes called Council Tax support. You could be eligible if you’re on a low income or claim benefits. Your bill could be reduced by up to 100%.

You can apply if you own your home, rent, are unemployed or working.

What you get depends on:

  • where you live - each council runs its own scheme
  • your circumstances (for example income, number of children, benefits, residency status)
  • your household income - this includes savings, pensions and your partner’s income
  • if your children live with you
  • if other adults live with you.

Visit gov.uk for more information.

Cost of living support

Find out what help is available to support you through the cost-of-living challenge. We have a range of advice for households, businesses and charitable organisations as well as ways people can offer support. Go to the cost of living support pages for more details.