Possible overpaid Council Tax - Refund Possible?

Golden_Cage

Hi there,

I’m not sure if I am posting in the correct forum, so apologies in advance if this is the case.

I have a quick question regarding overpayments (anda possible refund) of Council Tax. It would be much appreciated if anyone couldassist.

Background:

The background to my situation is as follows.

· My wife and I are both low-income earners – wehave a combined income of less than £20K.
· We have lived in our home since 2001.
· We have never received any Council Tax assistance/reduction.
· Our local authority is Market Harborough.
· We have 2 children.

Questions

1. Up until my two children were at school (i.e. age 19), should we have received a Council Tax reduction? If so, can we claim arefund for any sums we have overpaid? If a claim is possible, can you claim overpayments all the way back to 2001, or do time limits apply?

2. My two children went to university when they turned 19 (one in 2007 and the other in 2009). Whilst they studied, they continued to live at home with us to save money. During this time, we continued to pay the full amount of Council Tax. Should we have received a Council Tax reduction during this period? My understanding is that full-time students are exempt from Council Tax.

I’m probably missing a lot of the information required for someone to give me an “answer” to my question. However, I just thought I’d post my question here first before I gave my local council a ring and embarrassed myself!

Many thanks for your help!

kelpie35

It is your responsibility to apply for CT rebates.

How would your LA know who is living in your home?

Golden_Cage

Hi kelpie35

I understand that it is my responsibility to apply for CT rebates. However, I wanted advice on whether I have a claim in the first place!

Many thanks.

antrobus

Golden_Cage wrote: »

.....1. Up until my two children were at school (i.e. age19), should we have received a Council Tax reduction? If so, can we claim arefund for any sums we have overpaid? If a claim is possible, can you claimoverpayments all the way back to 2001, or do time limits apply?....

I think time limits apply.

Certainly as far as Council Tax Support is now concerned, they will only backdate a claim by up to six months if you have 'good cause'.

I don't think you can go back to 2001. It's well past the 6 year limitation period .....

Golden_Cage wrote: »

...
2. My two children went to university when they turned19 (one in 2007 and the other in 2009). Whilst they studied, they continued tolive at home with us to save money. During this time, we continued to pay thefull amount of Council Tax. Should we have received a Council Tax reduction duringthis period? My understanding is that full-time students are exempt fromCouncil Tax. ..

Your children's status as students simply means that 100% of the CT liability falls on the residents that were not students; i.e you and your wife.

National_Debtline

Hi Golden_Cage and welcome to the forum.

You are right to say that full-time students are exempt from Council Tax. However if there are two or more further adults in the household who are liable to pay, no discount can be awarded. In households where there is only one person liable to pay Council Tax, a Single Adult Discount of 25% can be claimed.

Re: earlier periods where you did not make a claim, I'm afraid it is very unlikely that you will be able to backdate any claims now. Very specific rules apply for backdating the old Council Tax Benefit (replaced by Council Tax Reduction from April 2013) and even where these rules were met, the maximum backdating period was six months.

If you contact your council to make a claim for Council Tax Reduction now, your claim can be awarded from the date you made contact (as opposed to when you receive the application form), but that is as far as it goes for backdating. Each council will have its own criteria for determining who is entitled to the Reduction, so you have nothing to lose by enquiring.

Regards
Dennis
@natdebtline

EDIT: cross-posted with antrobus.

Golden_Cage

Dennis,

Many thanks for your reply - fantastic advice.

I don't think I will be able to claim a CT reduction now, as one of my children has recently moved back home.