Council Tax Credit Balance at 31st March 27 January 2022 at 1:12PM in Reclaiming mortgage fees, council tax, etc 4 replies 81 views

ColH_123

Can I insist my council assign the credit balance on my Council tax account at 31 March against my April charge? They want to spread the credit evenly over the whole year. This means I will still owe them money for April even though the credit on my account will cover the charge.

emmajones1976

Cant you ask for the credit balance back now, and do as you want with it in April?

lincroft1710

You can certainly ask, but I don't know if you have a legal right to "insist".

CIS

ColH_123 said:

Can I insist my council assign the credit balance on my Council tax account at 31 March against my April charge? They want to spread the credit evenly over the whole year. This means I will still owe them money for April even though the credit on my account will cover the charge.

You can't insist it's against one particular month, as the system doesn't work like that. You can ask but that's as far as it goes.

pavacava

I had a similar experience in 2017, and the only way to achieve what you describe was to request a refund for the overpaid amount, then make normal payment in April using the cashed refund. I provided my bank details and noted as my council tax account was not a savings account, could the council please refund the over payment to my nominated bank account, this way you should avoid a cheque.

 I did this in writing via email and not over the phone as the refund was not even suggested as an option. Also, since you have paid for the current financial year, up to 31st, they have no legitimate reason to refuse the refund, if they do then simply raise a complaint with your email evidence.  

It seems stupid but the council tax systems, for the various councils I have lived in, have always apportioned over payments evenly for the next financial year, doesn't seem they can override this.