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  10. Council Tax Discretionary Reduction

Council Tax Discretionary Reduction

We can reduce your Council Tax in exceptional cases. We can only do this for circumstances covered in our policy.

We will only reduce your Council Tax in exceptional circumstances, or if you find yourself suffering exceptional financial hardship. If you are a Police Special Constable, you may also qualify for a reduction. Details can be found in our policy (PDF, 250 KB).  

For any reduction granted under Section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, the cost is met by increasing the charge to the other Council Taxpayers of the District. We consider the merits of each case separately.

How to apply

If you wish to apply, you should write or send an e-mail to us including your full name, address including postcode and Council Tax reference explaining why you think we should reduce your Council Tax. If you are applying because of financial hardship, you will need to tell us about your income and what you spend. 

Before you apply for a Section 13A Council Tax reduction you must:

  • take all reasonable steps to resolve the problems that are causing you hardship
  • check your entitlement to, and apply for, any other relevant Council Tax reductions. Please see our Can I get a Council Tax Reduction? page.

You will need to provide evidence of your situation and explain the steps you have taken to try to resolve the problems causing hardship. We will also need to check that if you are in arrears with your Council Tax, that this is for a genuine reason - not simply because you have chosen not to pay.

Police Special Constables

From 1 April 2021 Police Special Constables are included as a class of taxpayer who can apply for a reduction. The following conditions must be met:

  • The Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire has confirmed that you are a Special Constable and undertook sufficient hours of duty to qualify for the reduction; 
  • You are liable for Council Tax in the district and the property is your sole or main residence;
  • You do not already receive two 25% Council Tax discounts; and 
  • You are up to date with payment of your Council Tax as at the end of the financial year.

If you meet the criteria, please contact us by email or post and provide a copy of the letter issued to you by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire confirming that you undertook sufficient hours of duty.

Other short term help we can give people in difficult circumstances

If you get Housing Benefit or Universal Credit Housing Costs and need extra help to pay your rent, please see our Discretionary Housing Payments page. Please also see details of other support available on the Cost of Living Support page

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