Lana Oconnell
Full-time students are usually exempt from paying council tax. This applies to households where everyone is a full-time student, and in some cases, households with a mix of students and non-students may be eligible for a discount. To be considered a full-time student, one must be enrolled in a course of at least 21 hours of study per week for at least 24 weeks or one academic year. It is important to note that exemptions and discounts may vary depending on the local council's definitions and procedures, so students should ensure they follow the correct processes to claim their exemption or discount.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of a full-time student | A person undertaking a course of education at a prescribed educational establishment for at least 1 academic or calendar year |
| Weekly study hours | At least 21 hours of study, tuition or work experience per week |
| Duration of course | At least 24 weeks in an academic year |
| Student exemption period | From the official course start date until the official course end date |
| Exemption for households with non-students | If you live with non-students, they will typically be held liable for the council tax |
| Exemption for households with full-time students and non-British citizens | Full-time students with a non-British partner or dependent living with them are exempt from paying council tax |
| Exemption for student halls of residence | Student halls of residence owned by a college or university are typically exempt from council tax |
| Exemption application | Students can apply for a council tax exemption on the GOV.UK website |
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What You'll Learn
Full-time student definition
In the UK, full-time students are exempt from paying council tax. To be considered a full-time student, one must be undertaking a full-time programme of study, tuition, or work experience at a recognised educational institution. This typically involves a minimum of 21 hours of study per week during term time for at least 24 weeks in an academic year. The number of hours that qualify a student as full-time may be determined by the specific institution, and this definition is used by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
The council tax rules refer to properties as 'dwellings' and charge council tax based on the number of adults living in the dwelling. Full-time students are not counted as adults and are 'disregarded' when calculating the number of adult residents. This means that households where everyone is a full-time student do not have to pay council tax. If there are non-students living in the household, the full-time students must provide evidence of their student status to the Council Tax Office to ensure they are not included in the count of adult residents.
The student council tax exemption applies from the official course start date until the official course end date. This means that council tax may be charged if a student moves into a property before their course starts or remains after their course ends. It is important to follow the correct procedures for claiming exemption and to update any changes in address during the course to avoid unexpected council tax bills.
In addition to council tax exemptions, full-time student status offers other benefits. For example, parents who support their full-time student children can claim them as dependents on their tax returns until the age of 24, which can help reduce taxes. Federal student aid awards, such as Pell grants, are generally larger for full-time students, and scholarships and on-campus living often require full-time enrolment.
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Student exemption criteria
Students are exempt from council tax if they are enrolled in a full-time programme of study, tuition, or work experience at a recognised educational institution, which typically involves at least 21 hours of study, tuition, or work experience per week during term time for at least 24 weeks in an academic year. This exemption applies from the official course start date until the official course end date, and students living in student halls of residence are automatically exempt.
If you are a full-time student living with non-students, you will generally not be liable for council tax, but rather, the non-students will be held responsible. However, if you are the primary tenant or owner of the property, you may be held liable. Additionally, if you are an international student with a No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) restriction on your immigration status, you are not eligible for council tax benefits.
It is important to note that if you take time off from your course, you should still be regarded as a student for council tax purposes as long as you remain registered and intend to return. However, if you finish one course and plan to start another, you may be liable for council tax during that interim period.
To claim your exemption, you must provide evidence of your student status, such as your student certificate or other relevant documentation.
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Non-student cohabitation
Full-time students are generally exempt from paying council tax. However, this exemption only applies if all occupants of a household are full-time students. If there is a mix of students and non-students, the non-students will be liable for council tax, although they may be eligible for a discount.
If you are a full-time student living with non-students, it is important to understand how council tax applies to your household. While you, as a student, may be exempt, your non-student housemates will likely be responsible for paying council tax. This is because students are often considered ''disregarded persons'' for council tax purposes and are not included in the count of adults resident in a dwelling.
The non-student occupants will typically receive a council tax bill each month, and they will be responsible for making the payments. However, they may be eligible for a discount. If there is only one non-student in the household, they can apply for a 25% single-person discount. This discount is available regardless of the number of students living in the property. However, if there are two or more non-students, they will usually pay the full council tax, even with students in the property.
It is important to note that the non-student occupants should not assume that the students will contribute to the council tax bill, as they are not legally required to do so. However, some households may choose to split the cost of council tax evenly among all occupants, regardless of their student status.
To ensure that the student occupants are not included in the council tax bill, it is essential to provide evidence of their student status to the Council Tax Office. This can be done by submitting a copy of the student certificate issued by the college or university. Additionally, the names of all adult occupants in the property must be confirmed, and if they are students, their certificates must also be provided.
In summary, while full-time students are generally exempt from council tax, non-student cohabitants may face council tax liabilities. It is important to understand the specific rules and procedures for claiming exemptions and discounts to ensure accurate billing and avoid any potential issues or tensions within the household.
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Discounts for single parents
In the UK, full-time students are exempt from paying council tax. A household is exempt from council tax if everyone in the household is a full-time student. If there is one other adult who is not a student in the household, the council tax bill is reduced by 25%.
Now, for single parents, the council tax rules vary. Single parents can get a 25% single-person council tax discount if they are the only adult living in the property. This is because council tax is charged per property, not per person, and is based on two adults living in the home. If you are a single parent living with your parents, and they are already paying their council tax bill in full with no discounts, you will not have to pay anything additional.
Some councils run reviews to check eligibility for the single-person discount. It is important to complete and return any forms sent by the council. If you don't, they may assume you are no longer eligible and send a revised bill. There are circumstances where another adult you live with might be 'disregarded' for council tax, such as if they are your adult child who is in full-time education. Single parents may also be eligible for an additional council tax reduction, which is means-tested on their income. This is in addition to the single-person 25% discount. Each local authority has different criteria for who is eligible to claim a council tax reduction, for example, you may be eligible if you claim Universal Credit.
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International students
To be considered a 'student' for Council Tax purposes, you must be:
- Under 20 years old, studying for a qualification up to or equivalent to A-Level or a Higher Scottish Certificate of Education, on a course lasting at least 3 months, and involving a minimum of 12 hours a week of daytime study.
- A foreign language assistant working in a school or educational institution and registered with the British Council.
- Enrolled at an institution in the UK or another country in the European Union on a course lasting at least one academic year or one calendar year.
If you are studying for a nursing qualification, you may meet the definition of a student on a full-time course and be exempt from Council Tax. Academic visitors do not qualify as students for Council Tax purposes.
If you live in privately rented accommodation or own your home, you are usually liable to pay Council Tax. However, if you are a full-time student, you may be exempt from Council Tax. If you receive a Council Tax bill, you can apply for an exemption by providing evidence of your student status. This can include a student certificate or a Council Tax exemption certificate.
It is important to note that having a Student (including Tier 4) visa does not necessarily meet the definition of a 'student' for Council Tax purposes. Additionally, if you live with people who are not full-time students, you may still be eligible for a discount on your Council Tax bill. If you are an international student with a 'no recourse to public funds' restriction on your immigration status, you can claim council tax exemption without breaching the conditions of your immigration permission in the UK.
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Frequently asked questions
Full-time students are exempt from council tax. However, this only applies if everyone in the household is a full-time student. If there is at least one non-student adult in the household, the student may be eligible for a discount.
To qualify as a full-time student, you must be undertaking a course of education at a recognised educational establishment for at least 1 academic year, involving at least 21 hours of study per week.
You can apply for a council tax exemption or discount on the GOV.UK website. You will need to provide proof of your student status, such as a student certificate or other relevant documentation.
