Who is responsible for collecting council tax?

The responsibility for collecting council tax falls primarily on district or borough councils. These local authorities are tasked with assessing properties within their jurisdiction and determining the amount of council tax that is owed by residents based on the value of their properties and any applicable exemptions or discounts.

Council tax is utilized by these councils to fund local services, including education, waste collection, and public safety, making it essential for local governance and community services. District and borough councils are thus the direct agents that manage the system of taxation at the local level, ensuring that the revenue collected is used to benefit the community they serve.

In contrast, central government does not engage in the direct collection of council tax; instead, it provides the framework and regulations within which local councils operate. Local businesses and community groups also do not have any role in collecting this tax, as their functions focus on other areas such as commerce and community engagement rather than tax collection.