community charge: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowHistorical/Technical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “community charge” mean?
A flat-rate local tax paid by adults, introduced in the UK in 1989-1990 as a replacement for the previous system of domestic rates.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A flat-rate local tax paid by adults, introduced in the UK in 1989-1990 as a replacement for the previous system of domestic rates; commonly called the 'poll tax'.
A specific historical term for a system of local government taxation, often used in political and historical discourse to refer to the controversial policy implemented under Margaret Thatcher's government in England, Wales, and Scotland. It is now largely defunct.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is exclusively British. The policy existed only in the UK (specifically England, Wales, and Scotland). There is no equivalent concept or common term in American English. Americans would likely not understand the term without historical/political context.
Connotations
In British usage, the term carries strong political connotations of controversy, civil disobedience (poll tax riots), unfairness, and a specific period of Conservative government. It is a politically loaded term.
Frequency
In modern UK English, its frequency is very low and confined to historical or political analysis. It has been replaced by the 'council tax' since 1993. The colloquial term 'poll tax' is more widely recognized.
Grammar
How to Use “community charge” in a Sentence
(The) community charge was + past participle (e.g., introduced, abolished, replaced).(To) pay/oppose/protest the community charge.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “community charge” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The government planned to community-charge every adult. (rare, non-standard but possible in historical commentary)
- They were community-charged a flat rate.
American English
- [Not applicable]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable]
American English
- [Not applicable]
adjective
British English
- The community-charge register was compiled.
- Community-charge protestors gathered.
American English
- [Not applicable]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; might appear in historical analysis of public finance or local government policy.
Academic
Used in political science, modern British history, and public policy studies as a key term for a specific policy initiative.
Everyday
Extremely rare in modern conversation. Older generations in the UK may use it to refer to that period. The term 'poll tax' is more common in everyday recall.
Technical
Precise term in UK local government finance history. Used in legal and governmental documents from 1989-1993.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “community charge”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “community charge”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “community charge”
- Using it to refer to any modern local tax or fee.
- Treating it as two separate words with a generic meaning (e.g., 'a charge imposed by a community').
- Confusing it with 'council tax', its successor.
- Assuming it is a current term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it was abolished in 1993 and replaced by the council tax in England, Wales, and Scotland.
The community charge (poll tax) was a flat-rate per-adult tax. The council tax is a property-based tax with discounts for single occupants, making it more progressive.
It was seen as unfair because a millionaire and a low-income adult in the same area paid the same amount, placing a disproportionate burden on the less wealthy. It also led to higher bills for many.
Yes, 'poll tax' is the common, often derogatory, name for the community charge. 'Poll tax' historically refers to any tax levied on every adult, and the term was used because the community charge was seen as a revival of this unfair concept.
A flat-rate local tax paid by adults, introduced in the UK in 1989-1990 as a replacement for the previous system of domestic rates.
Community charge is usually historical/technical/formal in register.
Community charge: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈmjuːnəti tʃɑːdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈmjunəti tʃɑrdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not applicable; term is a specific historical/political label]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: COMMUNITY CHARGE = POLL TAX. It charged every adult in the community equally, causing uproar. Remember it as the 'charge' that caused the community to protest.
Conceptual Metaphor
TAXATION IS A BURDEN (the 'charge' is a weight/obligation). GOVERNMENT POLICY IS A TOOL (the charge was a tool for changing local finance).
Practice
Quiz
What is the 'community charge' most accurately described as?