Torbay Council begins Single Person Council Tax discount review

Torbay Council are conducting a mandatory review of Council Tax accounts that have been awarded a single person discount under the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

For 2025, they will review the single person discount of the 24,000 households currently receiving this reduction. Ensuring everyone pays the correct amount of Council Tax is crucial for the Council to continue providing essential services across Torbay.

To assist with this year's Council Tax review, they have partnered with Datatank. To make the process as convenient and efficient as possible, Datatank will initially screen the single person discount of all relevant households against credit records.

Only households where the screening raises uncertainty about the entitlement to the single person discount will receive canvass emails or letters.

Residents can respond to the review via paper form, text (free of charge), or online form (free of charge). Responding digitally is the quickest and most popular method. Paper forms should be returned to PO Box 11326, Nottingham, NG1 9RE.

It is important that everyone who receives a canvass responds, regardless of whether their situation has changed. Residents who do not respond will have their 25% single person discount removed dated from 1 April 2024, resulting in a higher Council Tax bill with an increased instalment plan.

The full review is expected to take approximately four months, with all qualifying households receiving their letters by the end of September 2025.

For more information about the Council Tax single person discount review, visit https://www.torbay.gov.uk/counciltax/