Council Tax Discount

rapp55

From the information issued by govt so far my understanding is that councils will pay the £150 direct to the bank account of everyone who has a council tax account. That means you will get the payment whether you pay full, part or zero council tax because of existing exemptions or benefits. They will use the bank account details they already have for people who pay council tax by direct debit. Those who pay by cash or card (or have a zero bill) may be asked for details so the council can pay them. I don't believe it will be paid by reducing the monthly council tax instalments as the MSE article suggested.

rapp55

Just noticed the MSE article has been revised to explain that payments will be made to council tax payers bank accounts. 

MercatCross

I just spotted this in The Sun.
"Households exempt from council tax Some households don’t pay council tax at all so may not be eligible for the rebate. This includes households where everyone is a full-time student on courses for at least one year and 21 hours’ study per week. Lower-income older people who get the guarantee element of Pension Credit might also be exempt from council tax depending on the local authority. Similarly, someone with a severe mental disability who lives alone or with a carer may not pay council tax. Vulnerable pensioners and those with a disability may still be eligible for the local authority funding."

Grumpy_chap

rapp55 said:

Just noticed the MSE article has been revised to explain that payments will be made to council tax payers bank accounts. 

I wonder how?
I pay by cheque each month, so how will the Council pay me this money without the bank account details?

p00hsticks

Grumpy_chap said:

rapp55 said:

Just noticed the MSE article has been revised to explain that payments will be made to council tax payers bank accounts. 

I wonder how?
I pay by cheque each month, so how will the Council pay me this money without the bank account details?

From rapp55's earlier post

"Those who pay by cash or card (or have a zero bill) may be asked for details so the council can pay them."

Grumpy_chap

So, I've got to give my bank details to the Council?  I'm not sure I'd be keen on that. 

The only thing is, I'm not sure whether I am Band D or E and I don't have the bill from last year to check.  I will check when this year's bill lands and if I am Band E, all will be well.

Assuming no Councils have sent out the bills for 2022, I would have thought that a discount off the bill amount would be the cheapest to administer and only those falling outside the point where this would get processed would need the reverse payment to be processed.

rapp55

MercatCross said:

I just spotted this in The Sun.

"Households exempt from council tax

Some households don’t pay council tax at all so may not be eligible for the rebate.

This includes households where everyone is a full-time student on courses for at least one year and 21 hours’ study per week.

Lower-income older people who get the guarantee element of Pension Credit might also be exempt from council tax depending on the local authority.

Similarly, someone with a severe mental disability who lives alone or with a carer may not pay council tax.

Vulnerable pensioners and those with a disability may still be eligible for the local authority funding."

1. My advice would be don't believe everything (or anything) you read in the Sun.
2. Whoever wrote that in the Sun hasn't read the information issued by the government or the article on this website. It doesn't matter whether you pay full or part council tax or are completely exempt from council tax - if you have a council tax account you will get the £150 payment.

CIS

MercatCross said:

I just spotted this in The Sun.
"Households exempt from council tax... Similarly, someone with a severe mental disability who lives alone or with a carer may not pay council tax. ...

With someone who is SMI, they'd only not pay council tax when they had a resident carer if they had council tax reduction against the remaining charge, otherwise they'd pay 50%, as the exemption would not apply. It's in the Sun though, so...

rapp55

Grumpy_chap said:

So, I've got to give my bank details to the Council?  I'm not sure I'd be keen on that. 

The only thing is, I'm not sure whether I am Band D or E and I don't have the bill from last year to check.  I will check when this year's bill lands and if I am Band E, all will be well.

Assuming no Councils have sent out the bills for 2022, I would have thought that a discount off the bill amount would be the cheapest to administer and only those falling outside the point where this would get processed would need the reverse payment to be processed.

Why would you not want to give your bank details if it means getting £150 in return? You give them the details on your cheque each month anyway.

You can check which band your home is in on gov.uk. Search for Check you council tax band.   

p00hsticks

Grumpy_chap said:

The only thing is, I'm not sure whether I am Band D or E and I don't have the bill from last year to check.  I will check when this year's bill lands and if I am Band E, all will be well.

Just plug your postcode in here (put a tinfoil hat on first if you are worried about the internet knowing where you live ;-) )

https://www.gov.uk/council-tax-bands