Non-Resident Council Tax Discount?????

Mark148

I work in Afgfhanistan and spend less than 91 nights in the UK per TY. I have completed a P85 which was sent to HMRC and am now in the middle of selling one house and buying another for my family to live in. At present the Council tax is reduced by 25% as only one adult is living there which is my wife.

The Local Council where we are moving to will not give a discount as they say even though I work abroad this is my main residence. I would appreciate some advice on this as I believe I should be entitled to a discount as in reality my main residence is in Afghanistan where I spend most of the year and the house in the UK is the family home with only one adult living in it permanently.

I only have 1 house in the UK which is where I will always go during my time off yet I don't believe that I should pay full council tax as it is based on two adults living there permanently, which I am not. All advice greatly appreciated

Many thanks

antrobus

I believe that there have been a number of test cases involving people in similar situations that have come before the courts, and generally speaking it has been held that it doesn't matter how long you're away from home due to the requirements of work, it's still your main residence.

Have a look at this page here - http://www.darlington.gov.uk/Advice%20and%20Benefits/Council%20Tax/Sole%20or%20Main%20Residence.htm - which lists a number of such cases.

Mark148

Antrobus,

Many thanks for your response, it looks like I will have to pay yet it is a hard pill to swallow when so many other people are exempt paying EVEN when they live there full time but that is for another forum.

Once again many thanks and thanks for the link.

Red_dog_Sam

Only applies to armed forces personnel but the MoD pays a Council Tax Relief equivalent to a 50% discount for those personnel serving in Afghanistan.