Reading council tax bands 2026-27
Every council tax band in Reading for the 2026-27 (26/27) year, with the yearly and monthly cost of each. A Band D home pays £2,613 a year, about £261 a month over ten instalments.
Reading council tax by band, 2026-27
Figures use the average Band D charge for Reading including local and major precepts (police, fire and parish). Your own bill can vary slightly by parish, and single-person households get a 25% discount.
| Band | 1991 value | Per year | Per month (10) | Per month (12) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Band A | Up to £40,000 | £1,742 | £174 | £145 |
| Band B | £40,001 – £52,000 | £2,032 | £203 | £169 |
| Band C | £52,001 – £68,000 | £2,322 | £232 | £194 |
| Band D | £68,001 – £88,000 | £2,613 | £261 | £218 |
| Band E | £88,001 – £120,000 | £3,193 | £319 | £266 |
| Band F | £120,001 – £160,000 | £3,774 | £377 | £315 |
| Band G | £160,001 – £320,000 | £4,355 | £435 | £363 |
| Band H | Over £320,000 | £5,226 | £523 | £435 |
Source: MHCLG, council tax levels set by local authorities in England 2026-27. Open Government Licence v3.0.
Band D charge
£2,613
vs England average
+£204
England average £2,409
Cost ranking
25 of 290
1 = most expensive
How council tax bands work in Reading
Reading does not decide your band — the Valuation Office Agency does, based on what the property would have sold for on 1 April 1991. That is why a new-build still gets a 1991 valuation, worked out by comparison with similar homes nearby.
The council sets one figure, the Band D charge, and every other band is a fixed proportion of it. Band A is two-thirds of Band D, Band H is exactly double. So once you know Reading charges £2,613 at Band D, every other band follows automatically.
Discounts sit on top: 25% off if you live alone, 100% off for full-time students, and reductions for people on low incomes or with certain disabilities. Empty and second-home properties can attract a premium instead of a discount.
Postcode districts in Reading
Reading bills these postcode districts. Open one to see the band table and the wider area guide.
Neighbouring councils
Find the band for one address
Our free checker returns the VOA band recorded for any home in Reading, together with the estimated annual bill for that band.
Reading council tax questions
How much is council tax in Reading for 2026-27?
A Band D property in Reading pays about £2,613 a year in 2026-27, including local and major precepts. Band A is £1,742 and Band H is £5,226.
What is the monthly council tax in Reading?
Most councils spread the bill over ten instalments, so a Band D home in Reading pays roughly £261 a month. Ask for twelve instalments and it drops to about £218 a month.
Is council tax in Reading high compared with the rest of England?
The England-wide average Band D charge is £2,409. Reading is above that, at £2,613, which ranks 25 of 290 billing authorities from most to least expensive.
How do I find my council tax band in Reading?
Bands are set by the Valuation Office Agency from what the property was worth on 1 April 1991, not today's value. Enter your address in our free checker to see the band recorded against it and the bill that band attracts.
Can I challenge my council tax band in Reading?
Yes, and it is free. If comparable neighbouring homes sit in a lower band, or the property has materially changed, ask the VOA to review it. Reviews can move a band up as well as down, so check neighbouring properties first.