change name on a council tax, date/when question?

p1tse

i've asked to change names on the council tax

they asked name, when etc.

does it matter if they moved in several years ago?

i tried to get it changed in the past, but not changed over i.e. from sister name to girlfriend/ now wife.

should i just make up a date or give them something back dated many years?

mlz1413

You don't make it clear on why the changes didn't happen in the past, but the main point is have you been wrongly claiming any discounts. ie have you received single person discount but not been alone in the house?

If you have wrongly claimed a discount then you should advise the council of the correct date of partner moving in. This will obviously create a balance due to them.

If you have not claimed any discount but just had the wrong names on your council tax for the wrong time periods then I would just ensure they get the name for this year. Most councils take the details over the phone but you can write to them with your changes.

Fire_Fox

You need to tell the truth - the council may wish to establish that your sister is now paying council tax elsewhere and that your wife was previously paying council tax somewhere. Lying could make someone appear to have been evading payment when in fact they were not.

p1tse

nope, was not recieving any discounts

just my sister moved out and girlfriend at the time and now wife is in

had tried to get it changed each time the annual bill comes through, but each year it never has amended and last couple of times i tried to change it usually by post i've never really bothered to chase it up.

however wife is on local poll etc too sent to the address.

wasn't sure if i should recent times or back date it for years. wanted most simple, easy answer which they would be happy with.

we've not avoided any taxes, just the annual household bill name has been incorrect

bryanb

Fire_Fox wrote: »

You need to tell the truth - the council may wish to establish that your sister is now paying council tax elsewhere and that your wife was previously paying council tax somewhere. Lying could make someone appear to have been evading payment when in fact they were not.

Surely council tax is levied on property not individuals. Therefore no need for such checks

lincroft1710

Surely council tax is levied on property not individuals. Therefore no need for such checks

A person could be named as being at property A, but in fact lives at property B with partner who fraudulently claims 25% single person discount.

CIS

Surely council tax is levied on property not individuals. Therefore no need for such checks

Council Tax is based on 50% property and 50% person.

Its a difficult task keeping track of individuals (I work in council tax recovery and know how hard it is). In order to amend a Council Tax liability the authority needs to be sure they are satified that the liabiliy is correct and can only do so by asking questions.

Regulations 3 and 4 of the Council Tax (administration and enforcement) regs 1992 allow information to be requested regarding liability.

bryanb

CIS wrote: »

Council Tax is based on 50% property and 50% person.

Its a difficult task keeping track of individuals (I work in council tax recovery and know how hard it is). In order to amend a Council Tax liability the authority needs to be sure they are satified that the liabiliy is correct and can only do so by asking questions.

Regulations 3 and 4 of the Council Tax (administration and enforcement) regs 1992 allow information to be requested regarding liability.

Agreed if a discount is being claimed. What info is required if liability is 100%?

CIS

Agreed if a discount is being claimed. What info is required if liability is 100%?

section 6 of the local government finance act 1992 - you need to establish the correct liability for which you need names and date of residence.

p1tse

all over my head

hence i found it easier not to chase it up, but now married i think best to do so

so in plain english no discount, everyone was paying council tax just names had changed.

so should i back date it or just go with a current date?

CIS

Legally both names should be on the bill as you are jointly liable - the local authority also miss out if you do default, if only you are named and summonsed then they can only take action against you and not your wife.