Council Tax Query for Forces Wives

Andy_L

Some councils do, but if they don't the MoD will, although it's based on an average council tax rate

ICATQ

OliveOil71 wrote: »

Hi
Sorry to jump on your thread, but it has made me think of another question. What if hubby goes to Afgan for 6 months will the council give a discount then?

Its one of the 'allowances' that can be claimed once we ge back along with the Op allowance.

Zara33

footballwidow75 wrote: »

Just wondered if anyone could help me out with this query.
Ive heard that some councils offer single persons discount on council tax for poeple who's partners are serving members of the Armed Forces. I have written to my Council and they reckon im not eligable so I just wondered if all councils were the same.

Heres Hoping!!!!

1 Council tax liability
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Service personnel who own or rent property are liable to pay council tax (or, in Northern Ireland, rates) on their homes. Those living in Ministry of Defence accommodation are liable to pay contributions in lieu of council tax (CILOCT), or in Northern Ireland, contributions in lieu of rates (CILOR). Further information on CILOCT and CILOR is given in the next section.
The fact that a member of the armed forces is stationed away from home does not necessarily mean that his or her council tax liability is removed and that a spouse or partner who remains in the family home will be entitled to single person discount. [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]Sole or main residence [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]is an important concept in council tax - as it was under the community charge (poll tax) - but it is not defined in the legislation. Case law indicates that questions of residence cannot be decided exclusively with regard to the time spent in a property. If someone occupies a property purely in connection with their employment, while maintaining a permanent home to which they can return at any time, the local authority may not regard their work-based accommodation as their main residence. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial]http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/briefings/snpc-03860.pdf[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Arial][FONT=Arial,Arial][/FONT][/FONT]

Lottebear

Have a look in the latest AFF and it has this in there, sugestion is to appeal of you live in your own property and some councils don't know to process it.

footballwidow75

Hubby has literally just returned from Afghan (:rotfl:)!! I have to get a letter from my council to say I pay full council tax and then we can get a payment from the MOD of £140 (ish - i think).

I finally received a lengthy letter explaining that I would not be eligable for discount, although speaking with Council workers (outside of office hours) I have been told on more than 3 occasions that if I keep pestering then they will finally cave in!!
However, the fact that both me and my husband are fortunate enough to be working, and the fact that the British Tax Payer pays enough for other people who are not so fortunate, I think I will let this one go and be greatful my hubby has returned home safe and sound.

Thanks to all who replied.
xx

snowball1972

My wife lives and works in the Falklands, can only spend upto 90 days a year in the UK for tax purposes, but we still don't get any council tax reduction, as they say our home in the UK is her main home!