Form

Council tax base (CTB): notes for completion

Updated 29 September 2025

Applies to England

Introduction

1. The Council Tax Base (CTB) return is designed to collect data on the number of dwellings in your authority area and any discounts, exemptions or premiums that may have been granted and the reason for these discounts/exemptions/premiums. It also produces a council tax base figure. It is important that data provided are accurate as they may be used for a wide range of purposes, including future funding allocations and policy development.

2. This form is to be completed by reference to dwellings shown on the Valuation List for the authority as at the second Wednesday of September (10 September 2025), and by reference to the number of discounts, exemptions, and premiums on the first Monday in October (i.e. Monday 6 October 2025) in respect of those dwellings. Generally, we would expect information on discounts, exemptions, and premiums to be provided on the basis of the information available to the authority on 6 October 2025. However, more recent figures for discounts, exemptions, and premiums applicable as at 6 October 2025 will be acceptable if numbers change significantly in the light of information received after 6 October 2025 and before the form is submitted (for example, for class N exemptions for students) although, please note that the deadline for return of this form is Friday 10 October 2025 (the second Friday in October).

3. For the purposes of this form, chargeable dwellings are defined as dwellings shown on the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025 which are, on 6 October 2025, chargeable dwellings under section 4 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (’the 1992 Act’), less demolished dwellings and dwellings outside the area of the authority (as defined in paragraph 13).

4. Cells that are white with a black border can have data entered; those with a blue border have data automatically entered as this is already known by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG). Those cells that are coloured green are either calculated cells (i.e. totals) or are have information brought forward from elsewhere, either in the table or elsewhere in the Excel workbook. There is no need to attempt to enter data into these cells. Please do not amend cells containing formula. Please refer to the guidance as you are completing the form. If you believe there is an issue, please contact us.

5. The form is set out over several sheets. To begin you must select your authority’s name from the list in the ‘CTB form’ sheet. You should then complete the rest of the sheets of the form in the order they are set out before returning to complete the main ‘CTB form’. This is because the data from the other tabs feed into the main ‘CTB form’ and will help with its completion. Once the whole CTB form is completed you will need to check to ensure there are no error messages flagged on each sheet, and you should deal with any validation queries that have been generated. If you submit a form with unresolved errors or missing validation comments, you will be asked to resolve them and resubmit the form.

6. Please note that contact details are collected in this form so that we have a primary point of contact for queries regarding the form. We will also use this to maintain our contact list, along with any secondary contacts and Chief Finance Officer details provided by the authority, for future communications regarding the CTB or related local government finance forms. These communications may be in relation to late returns, validation queries, certification checks or future collections. Information on our contact lists will be kept until a contact notifies us that they are no longer responsible for this form. Contact details are not shared with others outside of the authority and MHCLG’s local government finance data collection team, without prior agreement.

7. If you have any queries about completing the form, please contact us at ctb.stats@communities.gov.uk  as soon as possible.

Certification

8. The Chief Financial Officer or S151 Officer is required to certify that the information provided on the form has been based on the number of dwellings shown in the Valuation List for the authority as at 10 September 2025, and that it accurately reflects the information available to  them about the numbers of exemptions, demolished dwellings etc., disability reductions, disregards, discounts and premiums applicable on 6 October 2025 and, where appropriate, has been completed in manner consistent with the form for 2024.

9. Completed Excel forms should be sent to ctb.stats@communities.gov.uk  and received by the department by Friday 10 October 2025.

10. An email from the Chief Financial/S151 Officer to confirm the following statement should be provided at the same time as the Excel form. We will not accept the CTB form as final without this statement.

11. The statement is “I certify that the information provided on this form is based on the dwellings shown in the Valuation List for my authority on 10 September 2025 and that it accurately reflects information available to me about exemptions, demolished dwellings, disabled relief, discounts and premiums applicable on 6 October 2025 and, where appropriate, has been completed in a manner consistent with the form for 2024.”

Notes on columns

12. Columns 2 to 9 refer to the valuation band shown for each dwelling on the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025, except that for lines 6 to 10. Dwellings subject to a reduction for disability should be treated as falling in the “alternative valuation band” (i.e. the band which applies after the reduction), as defined in regulation 4(1) and (3A) of the Council Tax (Reductions for Disabilities) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/554) (as amended) (‘the 1992 Regulations’). The valuation bands are set out in section 5(2) of the 1992 Act.

13. Column 1 refers to dwellings in band A, as defined in regulation 4(3A)(b) of the 1992 Regulations, that are subject to a reduction for disability and hence pay 5/9 the band D amount.

14. Column 10 shows the total number of dwellings in each of the lines defined by the notes below. This column is calculated automatically for all rows.

Notes on lines in ‘CTB form’ part 1

Line 1: Number of dwellings on the Valuation List

15. Line 1 is the total number of dwellings shown in the Valuation List as at the second Wednesday in September. For the CTB 2025 this is the data from the snapshot taken on the 10 September 2025. This line will be pre-populated by data provided by the VOA.

16. We are not accepting changes to Line 1 this year as we are not able to have these verified by the VOA. We are aware of the number of outstanding cases on the VOA system. If you have any comments relating to this please provide them in the comments section in the ‘Validation’ tab of the CTB form.

Line 2: Exempt dwellings

17. Enter in line 2 the number of dwellings shown on the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025 which are exempt dwellings on 6 October 2025 as prescribed by Classes B, D to N and P to W of the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992 (SI 1992/558) (as amended) (‘the Exempt Dwellings Order’).

18. Dwellings exempt under Class O of the Exempt Dwellings Order (MoD properties held for the purposes of armed forces accommodation) should also be included in line 2 (and hence will not appear in line 4), because contributions in lieu will be paid in respect of them and these will be allowed for in line 25 (and line 32) of the form.

19. The total in column 10 must correspond with the total figure given in the total cell at the bottom of Part 1 of the CTB(Supplementary). This will be flagged if they do not match and will need to be resolved before the form is submitted.

20. Dwellings where Crown immunity applies should be counted as chargeable dwellings (because although contributions in lieu will be paid, these contributions are not allowed for in line 25 (and line 32) of the form and should not be included in lines 2 or 3; they will therefore appear in line 4.

21. Demolished dwellings and dwellings outside the area of the authority (as defined below) should be included in line 3 and not line 2.

Line 3: Demolished dwellings and dwellings outside the area of the authority

22. Enter in line 3 the number of dwellings (not already included in line 2) shown on the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025 which, on 6 October 2025, have been demolished (i.e. where, in the opinion of the authority, the dwelling has ceased to exist) or which, according to information available to the authority, were not within the area of the authority on 6 October 2025. These dwellings are treated for the purposes of this return as if they were exempt from council tax.

Line 4: Chargeable dwellings

23. Line 4 gives the result of line 1 minus line 2 and line 3, i.e., the number of chargeable dwellings as defined in paragraph 3 above. This row is calculated automatically.

Line 5, 6 and 7: Disability reductions

24. Enter in line 5 the number of dwellings shown in each band of the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025 in respect of which the amount of council tax payable on 6 October 2025 is reduced by virtue of the 1992 Regulations.

25. Line 6 shows in columns 2 to 8 the number of such dwellings in each band after the reduction for disabled relief has been taken into account (i.e. the number of such dwellings in the “alternative valuation band” as described in regulation 4(1) and (3A)(a) of the 1992 Regulations). Column 1 of line 6 shows the number of dwellings in band A subject to the 5/9 of Band D council tax in accordance with regulation 4(3A)(b) of the 1992 Regulations. This row is calculated automatically.

For example, the figure in line 6 column 1 should be the same as that in line 5 column 2; the figure in line 6 column 2 should be the same as that in line 5 column 3, etc.

26. Line 7 shows the number of chargeable dwellings (as defined in paragraph 3 above), after adjustment for disabled relief, i.e. line 4 less line 5 plus line 6 and in the case of column 1, this number is the same as column 1 of line 6. This row is calculated automatically.

Line 8: 25% discounts where there is only one adult resident (single adult household)

27. Enter in line 8 the number of dwellings shown on the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025 in respect of which the amount of council tax payable is subject, on 6 October 2025, to a 25% discount of council tax because only one adult is in residence, under section 11(1)(a) of the 1992 Act.

Line 9: 25% discounts where all but one adult resident is disregarded

28. Enter in line 9 the number of dwellings shown on the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025 in respect of which the amount of council tax payable is subject, on 6 October 2025, to a 25% discount of council tax because all but one adult is disregarded for council tax purposes, under section 11(1)(b) of the 1992 Act.

29. If the billing authority has determined a 25% discount of council tax for a second or an empty home, such discounts should not be included in lines 8 or 9, but reported in the ‘Empty Homes’ tab or ‘Second Homes’ tab so they can feed in to lines 11 or 13, as appropriate.

30. Please note that as a result of the Homes for Ukraine scheme and regulations related to council tax which came into force on 12 April 2022 and 25 March 2025, authorities may find that they report more Council Tax discounts where payees receive a 25% or 50% discount where there is only one adult resident, where all but one adult resident is disregarded or where all residents are disregarded for Council Tax purposes. Please use the comment box in the Validation tab to report any changes to discounts related to the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Line 10: 50% discounts where all adult residents are disregarded

31. Enter in line 10 the number of dwellings shown on the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025 in respect of which the amount of council tax payable is subject on 6 October 2025 to a 50% discount of council tax because all the residents are disregarded for council tax purposes under section 11(2)(b) of the 1992 Act.

32. If the billing authority has determined a 50% discount of council tax for a second or an empty home, such discounts should not be included in line 10, but at lines 11 or 13, as appropriate.

Line 11, 11a, 11b, and 11c: Second homes

33. Line 11 shows the number of chargeable dwellings shown on the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025 which are not the sole or main residence of an individual and which are furnished i.e. second homes. This row is filled automatically as the sum of Lines 11a, 11b, and 11c (see below).

34. Line 11a shows the number of chargeable dwellings classed as second homes shown on the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025 which, on 6 October 2025, receive no (zero%) discount of council tax and are not charged a Second Homes Premium. This row is filled automatically from the data collected in Table A and Table B of the Second Homes tab.

35. Line 11b shows the number of chargeable dwellings classed as second homes shown on the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025 which have been granted, on 6 October 2025, a variable % discount of council tax and are not included in line 11a. This row is filled automatically from the data collected in Table A of the Second Homes tab.

36. Line 11c shows the number of chargeable dwellings classed as second homes shown on the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025 which are being charged, on 6 October 2025, the Second Homes Premium under Section 11C of the 1992 Act. This row is filled automatically from the data collected in Table B of the Second Homes tab.

Line 12 to 15: Empty homes

37. Details of the number of chargeable dwellings which are unoccupied and substantially unfurnished (i.e. empty), and which are shown on the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025. Lines 12 to 15 are filled automatically from the data collected in Tables A and B0 to B3 of the Empty Properties tab (see below).

38. Line 12 shows the number of chargeable dwellings which are empty and which are shown on the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025 which, on 6 October 2025, receive no (zero%) discount of council tax and are not charged an Empty Homes Premium. This row is filled automatically from the data collected in Table A and Tables B0 to B3 of the Empty Properties tab.

39. Line 13 shows the number of chargeable dwellings which are empty and which are shown on the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025 which have been granted, on 6 October 2025, a variable % discount of council tax and are not included in line 12. This row is filled automatically from the data collected in Table A of the Empty Properties tab.

40. Line 14 shows the number of chargeable dwellings which are empty and which are shown on the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025 which are being charged, on 6 October 2025, the Empty Homes Premium under Section 11B of the 1992 Act. This row is filled automatically from the data collected in Table B0, Table B1, Table B2 and Table B3 of the Flex Empty tab.

41. Line 15 is the sum of lines 12, 13, and 14 and shows the total number of dwellings regarded as being empty as at 6 October 2025 regardless of discount or premium status. This row is calculated automatically.

Lines 16 to 18: Long term empty properties

42. When completing the next section, any dwelling that is empty as a result of any flooding and meets the definition of a “long term” empty property under the regulations should be counted in line 16. We expect that for almost every authority this line will be 0.

43. Lines 16a and Line 17 are required to ensure that the number of long-term empty properties calculated in line 18 are not inflated by properties that have been flooded where the Flood Recovery Framework was activated or require major works to make them habitable. Specifically, if a property is only counted in line 16 because it was flooded in this period and in areas where the Flood Recovery Framework was activated, then local authorities can have it discounted from the long-term empty properties by reporting it in line 16a.

44. If the property is flooded but is not being counted in line 16 for some reason (maybe it is furnished) then it should not be counted in line 16a either as this would artificially reduce the number of long-term empties. Any flooded dwellings not recorded in line 16 because they do not meet the definition of a “long term” empty property under the regulation should be shown in lines 12, 13 or 14.  This can include dwellings that were flooded at any point and/or that are in receipt of a discount whether funded locally or not.

45. Enter in line 16 the number of chargeable dwellings shown on the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025 which are unoccupied and substantially unfurnished (and not subject to exemption), and which on 6 October 2025 have been empty for a period of 6 months or more. The dwellings included in this line should have previously been included in line 15 above. Figures should therefore be less than Line 15 but more than Line 14.

46. Enter in line 16a, the number of chargeable dwellings included in line 16 that are still empty on 6 October 2025 as a result of the flooding that occurred between October 2023 and January 2024 and are only empty because of the flooding. We do not expect this to apply to all authorities. Please note that this is the equivalent of Line 16c in previous forms.

47. Enter in line 17 the number of chargeable dwellings shown on the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025 which are unoccupied and substantially unfurnished and are treated under empty homes discount class D (formerly Class A exemptions), and which on 6 October 2025 have been empty for more than 6 months. These are vacant dwellings where major repair works or structural alterations are required or under way to make it habitable. The dwellings included in this line should have previously been included in line 15 above.

48. Line 18 equals line 16 - line 16a  - line 17. The dwellings included in this line should have previously been included in line 15 above. This row is calculated automatically.

Lines 19 and 20: Total number of dwellings before the Family Annexe discount

49. Line 19 shows the number of chargeable dwellings shown on the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025 where there is liability to pay 100% council tax before the application of the Family Annexe discount. This is calculated as Line 7 less Line 20. This row is calculated automatically.

50. Line 20 shows the number of chargeable dwellings shown on the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025 that are subject to either a discount or a premium on their council tax before the application of the Family Annexe discount. This is calculated as the sum of Lines 8 to 10, lines 13 and 14 and second homes with a discount from the Flex Empty tab. The sum of line 19 & line 20 should equal line 7. This row is calculated automatically.

Line 21: Family Annexe discount

51. Line 21 shows the effect on the tax base of any reductions applicable because of discounts awarded through the Family Annexe discount scheme under the Council Tax (Reductions for Annexes)(England) Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/2977). This row is filled automatically from the data collected in line A of the Family Annexe tab.

Line 22 to 26: Calculating the taxbase

52. Line 22 represents the dwelling equivalent numbers in each valuation band after allowing for exempt dwellings, disabled relief, dwellings in respect of which the amount of council tax payable is subject to a discount or premium, and those in receipt of the Family Annexe discount. This is calculated by applying the relevant discounts or premiums percentages to the number of properties reported in the CTB form tab and Flex Empty tab. The figures are shown to two decimal places. This row is calculated automatically.

Line 23: Ratios to band D

53. Line 23 is shows the proportions for each of the different valuation bands in relation to Band D. The proportions are set out in section 5(1) of the 1992 Act. The ratio for column 1 (band A dwellings entitled to a disabled relief reduction) is 5/9, as set out in regulation 4(3A)(b) of the 1992 Regulations.

Line 24: Band D equivalents

54. Line 24 (Band D equivalents) expresses the figures from line 22 in terms of Band D equivalent dwellings. It is calculated by multiplying line 22 by line 23. All columns of line 24 are shown to two decimal places. This row is calculated automatically.

Line 25: Band D equivalents of Contributions in lieu (in respect of Class O dwellings)

55. Enter in column 10 of line 25 the number of band D equivalent Class O exempt dwellings (MoD properties) in respect of which contributions in lieu are payable for the financial year 2025-26. This should be calculated as the amount of contributions in lieu receivable for 2025-26 in respect of Class O exempt dwellings in the authority’s area divided by the average council tax (expressed in terms of band D 2 adult dwellings) for the authority for 2025-26.

56. For this purpose, the average council tax is the basic amount of council tax calculated by the billing authority for the year under section 31B of the 1992 Act, plus the amount obtained by dividing the sum of the amounts of precept payable for the year to each major precepting authority (as stated in accordance with section 40(2)(b) of the 1992 Act) by the amount of the council tax base calculated by the billing authority for 2024-25 under section 31B of the 1992 Act. The number should be entered to two decimal places only.

Line 26: Tax base before the localisation of council tax support is taken into consideration

57. The figure in line 26 column 10 is the sum of line 24 column 10 and line 25 column 10 to two decimal places. This cell is calculated automatically.

Notes on lines in ‘CTB FORM’ part 2

58. Part 2 of the form is designed to show how the council tax base would look when the localisation of council tax support is taken into consideration. It is purely indicative. Authorities are not required to enter any data in Part 2 as all the relevant data have either been provided in the Part 1 of the form and are transferred to Part 2, are transferred from other tabs within the Excel workbook or are calculated automatically.

59. The data used in Part 2 are derived as follows:

• Line 27 the same as Part 1 line 22
• Line 28 the reduction in tax base due to Council Tax Support and is brought forward from the line of the same name on the CT Support tab. (See below).
• Line 29 calculated from line 27 - line 28
• Line 30 the same as Part 1 line 23
• Line 31 Line 29 multiplied by line 30
• Line 32 the same as Part 1 line 25
• Line 33 Line 31 column 10 plus line 32

60. Any queries about the completion of the form should be made by e-mail to ctb.stats@communities.gov.uk .

61. It is important that all authorities should return the information by the due date. Any authority that submits revised versions of either of the forms should make it clear that it replaces any previous return.

Data required on the ‘empty properties’ tab and the ‘second homes’ tab

Section 11A and 11B of the 1992 Act, together with the Council Tax (Prescribed Classes of Dwellings) (England) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/3011) (as amended) (‘the 2003 Regulations’), enables local authorities to reduce the amount of council tax discounts given for second homes and reduce or increase the amount of discount for empty homes. Local authorities are asked to record the number of dwellings affected by these powers that are in force at 6 October 2025 in the Empty Properties and Second Homes tabs. This information is then carried forward to lines 11 to 14 on the main CTB(October 2025) form.

Note that the empty property tables and the second homes discount table were reported in the ‘Flex Empty’ tab in previous year’s CTB forms. We have split this tab to make it easier to include the new second homes premium tables.

Column and row totals will be calculated automatically. Please do not attempt to overwrite these formulae.

Data required on the ‘empty properties’ tab

Empty Property Council Tax Discount – Table A

Authorities may grant more than one level of discount for properties that have been empty for less than 1 year. If this is the case for your authority, we will require, by band and percentage discount, the number of dwellings that are empty as at 6 October 2025.

Details of the number of dwellings in line 7 of the main CTB form that are classed as empty and receiving a zero % discount on 6 October 2025 should be entered in the first line in Table A. The data from this line in Table A are fed through to line 12 on the main CTB(October 2025) form.

If your authority grants discounts other than zero%, enter the number of properties empty as at 6 October 2025 in the appropriate line(s) of Table A.

If the value of discount is not shown in Table A add the value in the “Percentage reduction” column under the “100” line.

The data from the “Total variable discount” line in Table A are fed through to line 13 on the main CTB(October 2025) form.

Empty Property Council Tax Premium – Table B

Under section 11B of the 1992 Act, authorities may charge a premium on those dwellings that have been empty and substantially unfurnished for 1 year or more. For properties that have been empty for between 1 and 5 years, the maximum premium is 100%, for properties that have been empty for between 5 and 10 years, the maximum premium is 200% and for properties that have been empty for more than 10 years, the maximum premium is 300%. As the premium was changed from 2 to 5 years to 1 to 5 years from 1 April 2024, we are asking authorities, if possible, to report the premium for 1 to 2 years and 2 to 5 years separately.

We ask that you confirm whether the authority has applied the Empty Homes Premium in 2025-26 by selecting yes or no from a dropdown box. This will allow us to understand what is being reported. For example, if you have properties that are empty for 1 to 2 years, but there is no premium being charged, you are asked to report these in Table B0 and in the 0 (no premium) row.

We also ask that you confirm the reason for zero values in the 0% (no premium) rows using the options in the second dropdown box. The options are ‘no information is available to complete this’ or ‘no cases where the premium wasn’t applied’.

For all tables, we require, by band and by the percentage premium charged, the number of dwellings that were being charged a premium as at 6 October 2025. For example, if a property is being charged double the council tax due on the property, then this is a 100% premium (100% standard rate + 100% premium).

Some properties may be empty for 1 year or more but are not being charged the premium, which may be because of local discretion or exceptions or because no premium is in use. These properties should be entered into the first row (0% (no premium)) of the appropriate table, which is fed through to Table B4.

Table B0:  Properties that are empty for between 1 and 2 years

If the value of the premium is not shown in Table B0 add the value in the “Percentage premium” column under the “100” line. This should not be more than 100.

If you are not able to separate the dwellings for one to two years, please report these in the two to five years table (Table B1). Please use the dropdown selection box above this table to indicate whether you are able to report the “1 to 2 years” figures.

Table B1:  Properties that are empty for between 2 and 5 years

If the value of the premium is not shown in Table B1 add the value in the “Percentage premium” column under the “100” line. This should not be more than 100.

Table B2:  Properties that are empty for between 5 and 10 years

If the value of the premium is not shown in Table B2 add the value in the “Percentage premium” column under the “200” line. This should not be more than 200.

Table B3: Properties that are empty for more than 10 years

If the value of the premium is not shown in Table B3 add the value in the “Percentage premium” column under the “300” line. This should not be more than 300.

The combined dwelling numbers paying no premium reported in Table B0, Table B1, Table B2 and Table B3 are fed through to line 12 on the main CTB form.

The combined dwelling numbers paying the premium in Table B0, Table B1, Table B2 and Table B3 are fed through to line 14 on the main CTB form.

Table B4: Properties that are empty and are not being charged a premium

Column 2 will be populated by the total in the no premium row in Tables B0 to B3. Please complete Column 3 to show the number that are not being charged the premium because they have an exception. For each row, the number in Column 3 can not be greater than the number in Column 2.

After Table B4 we have included a table that shows the total number of empty properties as reported in Table A and Tables B0 to B3, by band for the current year and the previous year. This is just for information and has been added to provide a visible check on the data reported. This is for information only and will be calculated automatically.

Data required on the ‘second homes’ tab

Before completing the tables, we ask that you confirm whether the authority has applied the Second Homes Premium in 2025-26, by selecting an option from the dropdown box at the top of this part of the form. This will aid our understanding of the data being reported.

If the authority is not charging a premium, then please complete Table A only. If the authority is charging a premium, then please complete Table A and Table B as appropriately.

Second Homes Council Tax Discount – Table A

Enter in Table A the number of chargeable dwellings shown on the Valuation List as at 10 September 2025 which are not the sole or main residence of an individual and which are furnished (second homes). These will be dwellings where the amount of council tax payable would be subject, on 6 October 2025, to a 50% discount of council tax - or would have been entitled to a 50% discount if the billing authority had not exercised its powers to reduce the discount under section 11A of the 1992 Act.

Under section 11A(4) of the 1992 Act billing authorities can determine a lesser percentage discount or end the discount for 2 classes of dwelling:

a. a Class A dwelling is defined as a dwelling “which is not the sole or main residence of an individual, which is furnished, and the occupation of which is restricted by a planning condition preventing occupancy for a continuous period of at least 28 days in the relevant year”; and;

b. a Class B dwelling is defined as a dwelling “which is not the sole or main residence of an individual, which is furnished, and the occupation of which is not restricted by a planning condition preventing occupancy for a continuous period of at least 28 days in the relevant year.”

These definitions are as set out in regulations 4 to 6 the Council Tax (Prescribed Classes of Dwellings)(England) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/3011)(‘the 2003 Regulations’). Note that there are exceptions in regulation 6 for caravans, boats, and certain job-related dwellings.

Please use the top line (zero % discount) for the number of second homes that are receiving no discount and the authority is not applying the Second Homes Premium. (This means the dwelling is paying the 100% standard rate). If the authority is applying the premium but the dwelling is only being charged the 100% standard rate, then this is a 0% premium and the dwelling should be reported as such in Table B.

The dwelling numbers receiving no discount reported in Table A are fed through to line 11a on the main CTB form.

The dwelling numbers receiving a discount reported in Table A are fed through to line 11b on the main CTB form.

If the value of discount is not shown in Table A add the value in the “Percentage Discount” column in the empty cell (below the 50% discount line).

Second Homes Council Tax Premium Table B and B1

Under section 11C of the 1992 Act, from 1 April 2025, authorities may charge a premium on those dwellings which are not the sole or main residence of an individual and which are furnished (second homes). The maximum premium that can be charged is 100%.

We require, by band and by the percentage premium charged, the number of dwellings that were being charged a premium as at 6 October 2025. For example, if a property is being charged double the council tax due on the property, then this is a 100% premium (100% standard rate + 100% premium). Where no additional charge is being made, then this is 0% (no premium) which should be entered into the first line of Table B and is fed through to Table B1.

Table B

If the value of the premium is not shown in Table B add the value in the “Percentage premium” column under the “100” line. This should not be more than 100.

The dwelling numbers paying no premium reported in Table B are fed through to line 11a on the main CTB form.

The dwelling numbers paying a premium reported in Table B are fed through to line 11c on the main CTB form.

Table B1: Second homes that are not being charged a premium

Column 2 will be populated by the total in the no premium row in Table B. Please complete Column 3 to show the number that are not being charged the premium because they have an exception. The number in Column 3 can not be greater than the number in Column 2.

After Table B1 we have included a table that shows the total number of second home properties as reported in Table A and Table B, by band for the current year and the previous year. This is just for information and has been added to provide a visible check on the data reported. This is for information only and will be calculated automatically.

Data required on the ‘CT support’ tab

We require data that shows how much your council tax base has been reduced because of the localisation of council tax support.

Amount of council tax foregone table

In Row 1, enter, by band, the total amount of council tax expected to be foregone in 2025-26 as a result of dwellings receiving council tax support by pensioner claimants. The figure should be shown in £.

In Row 2, enter, by band, the total amount of council tax expected to be foregone in 2025-26 as a result of dwellings receiving council tax support by working age people claimants. The figure should be shown in £.

Rows 3 to 9 will now be calculated automatically. Please do not overwrite these cells. If you believe that there is an error, please contact us.

Row 3 will show the total council tax foregone for Council Tax Support. This is calculated as the sum of Row 1 and 2.

The average Band D council tax amount (including parish precepts) charged by your authority (line 15 of your CTR1 form for 2025-26) is automatically pre-filled into row 6 when you select your authority in the drop-down box at the top of the main CTB(October 2025) form. The table will automatically calculate the average council tax for each Band in row 5 using the value in row 6 and the band ratios in row 4.

The number of dwelling equivalents for pensioners and working age claimants will be calculated in rows 7 and 8 by dividing the amount foregone for each Band in rows 1 and 2 by the average council tax for each Band in row 5.

The total reduction in tax base due to Council Tax Support dwelling equivalents will then be calculated in row 9 as the sum of rows 7 and 8.

Row 9 figures will feed through to line 28 of the main CTB form.

Data required on the ‘family annexe’ tab

We require data that shows how much your council tax base has been reduced because of the Family Annexe discount and the number of dwellings in receipt of the discount on 6 October 2025. Family Annexe discount is the last discount applicable to any dwelling and so the 50% discount on council tax is applied after all other discounts. What we are trying to ascertain is the reduction in the tax base as a result of the Family Annexe discount given to dwellings as a fraction of the council tax for that band. It should be expressed as the discount across all family annexes in each band, rather than the value of council tax foregone because of the Family Annexe discount.

For example, if there was one Band C dwelling that would normally pay £1,200 Council Tax per annum. If they receive no other discounts, after the Family Annexe discount of 50% they will pay £600. What we require is the discount received (£600) divided by the Council Tax for that Band (£1,200) expressed as a decimal (in this case £600 / £1,200 = 0.5).

And if there was one Band C dwelling which would normally pay £1,200 per annum and if they receive a 25% discount for a Single Person Disregard, after the Family Annexe discount of 50% they will pay £450 ((£1200 * 0.75) * 0.5). Again, this should be expressed as fraction of the Council Tax payable for family annexe properties in that band (£450 / £1,200 = 0.375)

In all cases the maximum effect of the Family Annexe discount on the tax base is 50% of the number of family annexes in each band. This means that the reduction in tax base cannot be more than 50% of the number of family annexes reported.

In line A, enter by band, the effect on the tax base of any reductions applicable because of discounts awarded through the Family Annexe discount scheme under the Council Tax (Reductions for Annexes)(England) Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/2977). When arriving at this figure, calculate the tax base reduction separately for each applicable dwelling and then sum the figures to give the total reduction. This figure should be shown to two decimal places.

In line B, enter by band, the actual number dwellings in receipt of the Family Annexe discount as at 6 October 2025.

If the reduction in taxbase exceeds 50% of the number of properties this will be flagged and should be resolved before submitting the form.

Information required on the ‘Validation’ sheet

Details regarding the validations applied to specific lines of the form are provided as a separate document.

Should other validation queries arise after the Excel form has been submitted, then the Department will contact your authority.