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Request to the council for a council tax discount or exemption (Scotland)
Scotland · in English
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For a council taxpayer in Scotland: a letter to the council asking for the single person discount (25% off when you are the only adult at home), a discount because the other adults are disregarded, such as full-time students, or an exemption, from a date you give, with any backdating and refund. Every Scottish council has a free online form that does the same; this letter suits those who prefer writing or have a case the form does not fit. If the council refuses, the next step is a written appeal to it, then the Local Taxation Chamber.
- Made for use in Scotland
- Last updated October 29, 2026
- Document in English
Where a UK document reproduces the words of legislation or of a government publication — UK, Scottish or Northern Irish — it contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
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When to use this document
- You live alone in Scotland and are paying full council tax without the single person discount.
- The other adult in your home is a full-time student and the council has not reduced the bill.
- Your flatmate moved out and you want the discount from the day you were left on your own.
- You want to ask a Scottish council in writing for a council tax discount or exemption.
What you fill in
The details the document asks for.
- Sender
- Sender's address
- Town or city
- Sender's postcode
- Date
- Council and department (e.g. Fife Council, Council Tax)
- Council's postal address, as on your bill (town, then postcode on the last line)
- Council tax account number (on your bill)
- What you are asking for
- Date from which the discount or exemption should apply
- Address of the property
- Details: who lives there and why they are disregarded or exempt
Common questions
- How do I claim the single person discount on council tax in Scotland?
- Ask your council: every Scottish council has a free online form, and a letter like this one also works. The discount is 25% when only one adult aged 18 or over lives in the home, or when every other adult is disregarded, for example a full-time student (section 79 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992). It is not applied automatically, and you must tell the council when someone moves in.
- Will a Scottish council backdate a council tax discount or exemption?
- Councils generally apply a discount or exemption from the date you became entitled, and many will go back further when you can show that date with evidence, such as a tenancy start date or a student certificate. How far back they go is each council's practice, so the letter asks for the earlier date and a refund. If the council refuses, you can serve written notice asking it to reconsider, and then appeal to the Local Taxation Chamber.
- Who is left out when a Scottish council counts the adults living in a home?
- People under 18 are not counted. Among the adults disregarded are full-time students and student nurses, apprentices and some young people in training, people who are severely mentally impaired, people living permanently in a care home or staying long term in hospital, and some live-in carers. A home where everyone is a full-time student is usually exempt. Council Tax Reduction, for people on a low income, is a separate claim to the council.
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