Council Tax bill

summerseeker

Today we got a letter containing 4 sheets of paper. Each paper was for a years council tax going back to 2017/18.  We owe over £600.  There is no covering letter.  We have never owed them in fact because of disability, we haven't had to pay council tax for 2 years, yet for these years the costs are almost £400.  I have rung the council but they are extremely busy and promised to get someone to call me back. It hasn't happened and we are very worried about the money they say we owe.  Does anyone have any idea why this is possible.  Thank you in advance

CIS

There could be many different reasons for it.

Without being able to see a copy of the council tax demand notice you have received then we can't say with any certainty what the issue might be.

Robin9

@summerseeker  There will be a breakdown of costs - £600 suggests that there are substantial discounts

The first line may say something like  2017/18 Band C - £1350
next line 50% discount for xxxxxxx 
next line 40% discount for xxxxxxx

nett payable £150

Describe what the bills say please - leave out personal info and addresses

summerseeker

Thank you for replying, this is what the first one says

Charge set for Band A                894.36
Adult social care precept             69.47
Town council precept                    23.87
Fire and rescue Authority              41.81
Police                                           108.63
Total charge for property             £1138.14

Charge for period 01/04/2018 to 31/03/2019
Less Council Tax rebate/reduction        -397.24
Cash paid to date                                  - 703.42
What you have to pay                            £37.48

Apart from it saying its a Amended bill, thats it.  We didnt pay short, we paid what was asked at the time.  
The other 3 are similar but the amounts are nearer £200

CIS

summerseeker said:

Thank you for replying, this is what the first one says

Charge set for Band A                894.36
Adult social care precept             69.47
Town council precept                    23.87
Fire and rescue Authority              41.81
Police                                           108.63
Total charge for property             £1138.14

Charge for period 01/04/2018 to 31/03/2019
Less Council Tax rebate/reduction        -397.24
Cash paid to date                                  - 703.42
What you have to pay                            £37.48

Apart from it saying its a Amended bill, thats it.  We didnt pay short, we paid what was asked at the time.  
The other 3 are similar but the amounts are nearer £200

That's an odd layout for an adjustment on a demand notice - most councils will show that X amount was taken off and Y amount added back on, the difference being the actual adjustment made.

That being said, if the only discount on any of the bills is Council Tax Reduction then that is most likely what the adjustment is - there should be amended Council Tax Reduction award letters on the way to if that is the case.

This is the sort of case that does need a deeper look in to it and, if I was looking at for a client, I'd be aiming at the Council Tax Reduction side for now and seeing what has happened with that.