Reading council tax 2026/27
Band D council tax in Reading is £2,612.77 a year for 2026/27. That's up 5.0% on 2025/26 and £221 more than the England average. Most homes here are in band C: 41% of them.
Band D, 2026/27
£2,612.77 a year
- Council
- Reading
- Type
- Unitary
- Region
- South East
- Rank
- the 27th most expensive of 296 councils in England
the 8th most expensive of 64 councils in the South East - England average
- £2,391.52 Band D
- Figures
- 2026/27, checked 27 October 2026
Reading council tax bands 2026/27
Yearly charge and the usual monthly payment. Councils collect in 10 monthly payments unless you ask for 12.
| Band | A year | Monthly, 10 payments | Monthly, 12 payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | £1,741.85 | £174.19 | £145.15 |
| Band B | £2,032.15 | £203.22 | £169.35 |
| Band C | £2,322.46 | £232.25 | £193.54 |
| Band D | £2,612.77 | £261.28 | £217.73 |
| Band E | £3,193.39 | £319.34 | £266.12 |
| Band F | £3,774.00 | £377.40 | £314.50 |
| Band G | £4,354.62 | £435.46 | £362.89 |
| Band H | £5,225.54 | £522.55 | £435.46 |
Bands as published by the government (area council tax including the average parish precept). Monthly figures divide the year equally; the first payment can differ by a few pence.
Where your council tax goes
A Band D bill in Reading is split between 3 bodies. Reading council's own share is £2,223.18, including £42.35 raised this year for adult social care.
| Set by | Band D | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reading council | £2,223.18 | 85% |
| Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner | £298.28 | 11% |
| Berkshire fire and rescue | £91.31 | 3% |
Homes in each band
29% of the 77,890 homes in Reading are in band A or B, and 7% are in band F or above.
Valuation Office Agency, Council Tax stock of properties, 31 March 2026. Counts are rounded.
Discounts and premiums in Reading
Everyone in England gets the national discounts: 25% off if you live alone, nothing to pay for all-student homes, and one band lower if your home has been adapted for a disabled person. How discounts work. Reading also sets its own rules on second and empty homes:
| Second homes | 100% premium: you pay double the normal chargesince 1 April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Long-term empty homes | 100% premium after 1 year; 200% premium after 5 years; 300% premium after 10 years |
| Local discounts | Care leaver discount: 100% aged 18-20, 66% aged 21-22, 33% aged 23-24 |
Source: Reading website, checked 27 October 2026.
On a low income? Each English council runs its own Council Tax Reduction scheme for working-age people. Reading Council Tax Reduction.
Band D in Reading over the years
Show the figures
| Year | Band D |
|---|---|
| 2026/27 | £2,612.77 |
| 2025/26 | £2,487.11 |
| 2024/25 | £2,367.47 |
| 2023/24 | £2,256.25 |
| 2022/23 | £2,144.95 |
| 2021/22 | £2,076.83 |
| 2020/21 | £1,976.04 |
| 2019/20 | £1,899.79 |
| 2018/19 | £1,826.63 |
| 2017/18 | £1,723.33 |
| 2016/17 | £1,647.82 |
| 2015/16 | £1,589.36 |
| 2014/15 | £1,559.42 |
| 2013/14 | £1,531.34 |
| 2012/13 | £1,498.76 |
| 2011/12 | £1,498.76 |
| 2010/11 | £1,498.76 |
| 2009/10 | £1,467.43 |
| 2008/09 | £1,409.96 |
| 2007/08 | £1,379.33 |
| 2006/07 | £1,330.32 |
| 2005/06 | £1,270.10 |
| 2004/05 | £1,212.37 |
| 2003/04 | £1,156.31 |
| 2002/03 | £1,050.65 |
| 2001/02 | £961.55 |
| 2000/01 | £908.47 |
| 1999/00 | £868.13 |
| 1998/99 | £822.11 |
| 1997/98 | £706.40 |
| 1996/97 | £696.26 |
| 1995/96 | £609.75 |
| 1994/95 | £592.88 |
| 1993/94 | £607.50 |
Band D including the average parish or community precept. 1993/94 to 2026/27.
Nearby councils
| Council | Band D | Difference | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Oxfordshire | £2,597.57 | −£15.20 | Compare |
| Wokingham | £2,497.70 | −£115.07 | Compare |
| West Berkshire | £2,505.37 | −£107.40 | Compare |
Pay, check your band or apply for a discount
This site is independent. To pay, see your exact bill, tell the council you've moved or apply for a discount, use the council's own site.
Questions
How much is council tax in Reading?
In 2026/27 Band D is £2,612.77 a year. Bands run from £1,741.85 (Band A) to £5,225.54 (Band H).
How much is Band C council tax a month in Reading?
Band C is £2,322.46 a year: £232.25 a month over 10 payments or £193.54 over 12. Band C is the most common band here (41% of homes).
How much did Reading council tax go up?
Band D rose from £2,487.11 in 2025/26 to £2,612.77 in 2026/27, an increase of 5.0% (£125.66).
Does Reading charge extra council tax on second homes?
Yes. Reading charges a 100% premium on second homes in 2026/27, so the owner pays 200% of the normal charge.
Who do I pay council tax to in Reading?
You pay Reading council, which collects the whole bill and passes on the shares set by Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner and Berkshire fire and rescue. Use the council's own website to pay, check your bill or apply for discounts.
Sources
- Council Tax levels set by local authorities in England 2026 to 2027, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, published 25 March 2026, checked 27 October 2026
- Council Tax: stock of properties, 2026 - CTSOP1.1: number of properties by Council Tax band, local authority and LSOA/MSOA at 31 March 2026 (geography = LAUA rows), Valuation Office Agency, checked 27 October 2026
- Council website (premiums and discounts), checked 27 October 2026
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. How we compile these figures.