Overpaying in council tax (single person reduction)

cats_ahoy

Hi all,

I have just found out my partner (working) and I (full time student) have been paying the normal tax rate for the last 2 years instead of the reduced single person one (as I am a officially classed as a student so I am exempt, and my partner qualifies for 25% single persons discount).

We have rang the council tax office, and they are currently confirming I am a student with my university.

Are we entitled to some kind of tax rebate? We can provide proof that we should have been paying the reduced rate, but should the council refund us the 25% difference for the last 2 years? Or can they say it is our fault and not give us anything back?

Any comments would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

uknick

Have you tried asking your council if a rebate is available?

cats_ahoy

uknick wrote: »

Have you tried asking your council if a rebate is available?

Thanks for the reply, It was my partner who spoke to them, he said they mentioned amending future payments, but nothing about a rebate.

We've not asaked for one yet, Its just we've had problems with them before, so when we do ask them for a rebate I am trying to work out exactly what I need to say to them.

JKSandy

The may backdate a short time but I don't think they will for the whole time. When you're next in contact with the council ask can it be backdated as I doubt they will offer.

They will probably ask why you didn't apply sooner.

rachiibell

This happened to us although only for about 6 months before we sorted it and the council just automatically took the money off our next bill. We were paying for the rest of the year as I didn't realise that after getting two reminder letters you have to pay off the full balance, I was using them to know when to pay it oops. Anyway good luck

levonhelm_2

The discount should be backdated no problem. Depending on your banding and if your payments are up to date, then you could be overpaid in the region of £500. You should keep chasing them up to get the money refunded, as the council may transfer the overpayment at the end of next month to 2014/15 year. They may refund it when they process the discount, but some councils are different.