Council Tax reduction for spouses of Military personnel serving abroad. 16 April 2012 at 2:11AM in UK armed forces MoneySaving 3 replies 4.6K views

Warnes66

:(I am in the Military and have been living and working abroad for the past three years. I have tried on several occassions to get my girlfriend a Council tax reduction (Single occupancy) as she has remained in the UK. The House she lives in is joint owned by the both of us. I pay a form of council tax at my foreign address and therefore dont think she should be paying the full rate of Council Tax. I believe it seems to be a form of post code lottery as some Councils reduce it and some don't. My house is in Plymouth, Devon. Does anybody have any advice as to what I can do??:(

antrobus

See:http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/DefencePolicyAndBusiness/CouncilTaxReliefForPersonnelOnOperationsIncreased.htm
and
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_armed_forces_and_veterans_ew/benefits_and_concessions_for_the_armed_forces_veterans_and_their_families.htm

Although it depends on whether you're on an eligible overseas operation.

Generally speaking, I don't think it's possible to claim for a single person discount for CT just because one of the parties is working elsewhere, on the basis that the property is still their main residence.

Andy_L

If you've been away on an Op Tour then, if the council won't give a discount, the MoD will pay a typical council tax discount.
If it's just an overseas posting (Germany, Cyprus etc) then, as Antrobus says, there's no discount

Alias_Omega

Warnes66,

I would recommend posting your question on the "Cutting Tax" section of the forum regarding Council Tax.

The link to apply to reduce the Council Tax with Plymouth Council is here ->

http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/homepage/housing/counciltax/counciltaxdiscounts/soleoccupierdiscount.htm

Though i am sure there will be a few guidelines as how and when you can apply for the 25% reduction. You may have to adapt to fit into them.

Regards,

Alias