Council tax - reclaiming discount, their error

mermaid85

Hi, I'm not sure if this is in the right place.

When I got my council tax bill through this year, it had a single occupancy discount on it, despite the fact that my other half moved in last April. I called the tax office to ask for it to be removed, and was informed that we had been given the discount last year as well.

I have just received the amended bill, and called them to find out how to appeal.

They have admitted that it is a fault their end, as I have informed both them and the housing benefit office of the change in circumstance, but have said we will still have to pay back the discount from last year.

Is this right with it being their fault?

I wouldn't complain, but our circumstances have changed since last year and we now have a lower income. We are struggling to make ends meet as it is without having an extra 25% on the council tax bill to pay out.

ElmerFudd

Didn't want to read and run. Are you on a low income currently? Can you get a discount on your council tax. I don't have an answer to your main question unfortunately although it seems a bit harsh for them to expect you to pay it back when it was their fault.

CIS

Irrespective of them placing the discount on the account any council tax generated by its withdrawl is re-claimable. The onus is on the tax payer to check their council tax demand and ensure it its correct.

You may be able to negotiate a re-payment arrangement on the amount due however they dont have to do so and can re-claim it alongside the normal council tax due.

mermaid85

Sorry CIS I don't really understand your post? Apart from that we will still have to repay. At the moment it has been added to the monthly payments for this year.

We have recently had a baby and I have left work, once OH had moved in I was no longer able to claim housing benefit, but now that I have left work we will be getting it again, as well as a small amount of council tax benefit. If we claim the council tax benefit, will that be based on the higher amount, to include the repayment, or will those costs be based on last year's income when we could afford it?