The dreaded Council Tax

CIS

Payment schedules are set out in law here
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1992/Uksi_19920613_en_9.htm#sdiv1

Effectively your relying on the good will of your council for any extra payment options above the 10 monthly payments set in law - but as said before, most council will come to arrangements to get the money in.

brm_2

CIS wrote:

Payment schedules are set out in law here
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1992/Uksi_19920613_en_9.htm#sdiv1

Effectively your relying on the good will of your council for any extra payment options above the 10 monthly payments set in law - but as said before, most council will come to arrangements to get the money in.

I have read with interest the site you gave and have looked into this further.
It would seem that there are a number of 'progressive' LA's out there who have used their 'dicresionary powers' to allow their CT payers to have the option of 10/11 or 12 CT payments over the year, where there are others who have stuck to the act, including mine.
For example:
Mansfield 10 only by DD
Basildon 12 by DD
Barnet 10 or 11 by DD
Walsall 10 or 12 by DD
Mendip only 10 but can extend in cases of special hardship which needs to be proved.

So, we seem to have a situ where LA's are making up their own minds, or sticking to the rules.

I have now opened an 'on-line' account with my LA and will pay my CT with my 'cashback' CC, thus gaining a very small amount of cash back, or looking at it another way a small discount on my CT.
At present there is no surcharge for paying by this method, but as is always the way, one could be introduced if many people decide to pay this way.

margaretclare

We're in Rochford, and we've always had the option of paying by 12 months. As we pay all the household bills by direct debit 12-monthly, this is most convenient for us. However, some people like the idea of having 2 'free' months i.e. February and March.

Margaret

brm_2

margaretclare wrote:

We're in Rochford, and we've always had the option of paying by 12 months. As we pay all the household bills by direct debit 12-monthly, this is most convenient for us. However, some people like the idea of having 2 'free' months i.e. February and March.

Margaret

I can see the point you are making, but do you not think there should be equity for all who pay CT. ie every LA being 'progressive' and allowing CT to be paid over twelve months.
This would then be the LA's 'using their discressionary powers' .

missile

Does it really matter, surely it is no problem if you simply set the cash aside for payment whenever. More important (to me at least) where does all the money go? I get really annoyed seeing all the lights blazing 24/7 at our council offices

brm_2

margaretclare wrote:

We're in Rochford, and we've always had the option of paying by 12 months.
Margaret

That's exactly the point I am trying to make. If Rochford allow you to pay CT over 12 months, and have used their 'discretionary powers' then this should apply across all LA's. I'm sure you would agree that there must be equity for all people who pay CT whichwever LA they pay them to.

Biggles

I'm sure you would agree that there must be equity for all people who pay CT whichwever LA they pay them to.

Why? Aren't they meant to be 'local' and apply the rules, as well as the funds, in a way that they think fit in their own area?

brm_2

Biggles wrote:

Why? Aren't they meant to be 'local' and apply the rules, as well as the funds, in a way that they think fit in their own area?

Thanks for your comment.
Please see my post 123.

Paul65_2

I'm trying to appeal my Council Tax band as it's been rejected by the VOA as invalid, they tell me that I should have appealed within 30 days (interesting as we didn't buy the property until 1995).
There was a standard letter that was on this website last week (unless I'm going mad), but can't seem to find it now. Anyone know where it is?

Would like to use this to appeal the decision to try and make them see sense.