Yipeee - I am off to Prison for Council Tax Debt :D

Thunderballs_2

Apparently I owe under £1k in Council Tax from almost 10 years ago.

I was paying it back via benefit deductions until I stopped claiming dole. I was in receipt of HB and Council Tax benefit as well (from the same council the debt was being paid to)

Baliffs came round several years ago whilst I was still paying some of my benefits towards this debt and decided I didn't have anything they could sell to pay of this debt.

I have no ongoing council Tax liability to this council as I dont live in the house/council the debt relates to.

Most recently I had my bill corrected and then they sent me a letter

COMMITMENT TO PRISON

The letter helpfully informs me that "the only way to stop this action is to pay the balance £X in full within 7 days"

and in the very next paragraph the contradictory "advice"/instructions that ...

"If you cannot make payment in full immediately, you must contact the recovery section on the telephone number shown.."

Which idiots write these letters ?

Looking forward to my day in court when I will show thew Magistrate(s) my income of less than £2000 a year and my intention to pay when I have an income that would enable me to pay... I have previously supplied this info to the council.

These idiots at the council need only write to me and ask me to submit income and expenditure and propose a reasonable repayment schedule .. instead .. off to prison for you my lad !

It seems pointless to contact the council prior to the materialisation of any summons for "my date with Mr Big in the local prison showers" because well they already told me a hearing is a foregone conclusion.

Bobarella

What a nightmare for you. Really hope you get this resolved asap.

Thunderballs_2

Thank you but I am looking forward to it.

One only has to scratch the surface of the whole Council Tax, Liability Order process to know that they go after people that can't pay at the drop of a hat.

If I have to go to prison for a few weeks it is one experience you arguably can't get for less and without a criminal record any other way !

HappyMJ

Thunderballs wrote: »

Thank you but I am looking forward to it.

One only has to scratch the surface of the whole Council Tax, Liability Order process to know that they go after people that can't pay at the drop of a hat.

If I have to go to prison for a few weeks it is one experience you arguably can't get for less and without a criminal record any other way !

As long as you're laughing it off you'll be fine.

There are so many people out there that really do believe that an inability to pay will lead to a prison sentence and a criminal record. They will do anything to pay the bill including not eating and not keeping their homes warm. You know it won't happen unless you are negligent in not paying and therefore you will not be committed to prison.