Council tax is a locally-set tax that is payable on all domestic properties.
Public services
We are responsible for collecting the tax, but we do not keep all of it. It is split between us and other authorities and agencies, which provide public services, such as the police and the county council.
In Hertsmere there are over 43,000 properties to which council tax applies. This means almost £84 million needs to be collected by us to help pay for local services such as schools, libraries, police, fire service, parks and waste and recycling collections.
Council tax bands
The full amount of tax you pay is based on two factors: the property value, and the assumption that there are two or more adults, aged 18 or over, living there.
Property values are divided into eight bands A to H and the tax incurred by each property increases in increments, band A being the lowest. In certain circumstances the amount of tax you pay may be reduced by either a discount or an exemption.
How is Your Council Tax Spent?
The council tax we collect is divided between:
- 78% - Hertfordshire County Council
- 10% - Hertsmere Borough Council
- 10% - Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire
- 2% - Parish / town councils