Council Tax

JDelieu

I am a home owner on a new build estate which has not been adopted by the local council. We pay an annual maintainance fee for the upkeep of the public areas The road is private and there is no street lighting. The only public service provided by the local authority is collection of household rubbish. As anyone in a similar position managed to claim a reduction in Council Tax due to reduced services provided.

marcia_

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6444042/council-tax

you cant get a reduction and dont just get rubbish collection. Council tax also pays for social services for both chidren and aduts. Street cleaning throughout the whole council area.
local libraries and sports centres and much much more

macman

It doesn't work like that. Council tax is a property tax, not a tax on services.
I don't have school-age children, but I still have to pay a contribution to local education provision. You can't pick and choose the services you use and expect a reduction accordingly.

MrInvisible1

Well I don't know if this is true or not yet but... my sister is battling the local Council right now using a 'loop hole precedent' which states that if the council pays taxes collected to the government for any war effort, they no longer have to pay council tax as one must consent to supplying money to any war effort. This supposedly opens up an instant win situation as there is no guarantee that the money paid to the government will NOT be spent on war efforts...

I know, I don't believe it either... I've asked her to keep me posted with the outcome.

lincroft1710

MrInvisible1 said:

Well I don't know if this is true or not yet but... my sister is battling the local Council right now using a 'loop hole precedent' which states that if the council pays taxes collected to the government for any war effort, they no longer have to pay council tax as one must consent to supplying money to any war effort. This supposedly opens up an instant win situation as there is no guarantee that the money paid to the government will NOT be spent on war efforts...

I know, I don't believe it either... I've asked her to keep me posted with the outcome.

I think this is about as believable as the pope being a Muslim.


Which "war effort" does your sister think her council is contributing to? It is usually the case central government gives money to local government rather than the other way round.

MrInvisible1

lincroft1710 said:

MrInvisible1 said:

Well I don't know if this is true or not yet but... my sister is battling the local Council right now using a 'loop hole precedent' which states that if the council pays taxes collected to the government for any war effort, they no longer have to pay council tax as one must consent to supplying money to any war effort. This supposedly opens up an instant win situation as there is no guarantee that the money paid to the government will NOT be spent on war efforts...

I know, I don't believe it either... I've asked her to keep me posted with the outcome.

I think this is about as believable as the pope being a Muslim.


Which "war effort" does your sister think her council is contributing to? It is usually the case central government gives money to local government rather than the other way round.

Well I asked her the same thing and she said "it includes the defence budget, they have no way of proving the taxes collected don't go towards the defence budget hence the loop hole". Like i said, I don't believe it either and I can't be asked to do the research, working 3 jobs at the moment...

lincroft1710

MrInvisible1 said:

lincroft1710 said:

MrInvisible1 said:

Well I don't know if this is true or not yet but... my sister is battling the local Council right now using a 'loop hole precedent' which states that if the council pays taxes collected to the government for any war effort, they no longer have to pay council tax as one must consent to supplying money to any war effort. This supposedly opens up an instant win situation as there is no guarantee that the money paid to the government will NOT be spent on war efforts...

I know, I don't believe it either... I've asked her to keep me posted with the outcome.

I think this is about as believable as the pope being a Muslim.


Which "war effort" does your sister think her council is contributing to? It is usually the case central government gives money to local government rather than the other way round.

Well I asked her the same thing and she said "it includes the defence budget, they have no way of proving the taxes collected don't go towards the defence budget hence the loop hole". Like i said, I don't believe it either and I can't be asked to do the research, working 3 jobs at the moment...

I can only suggest you urge your sister to pay any CT owed and desist from believing in and acting upon unfounded rumours. Gently remind her that if she fails to keep up her monthly payments, the council can legitimately demand the whole of the outstanding balance be immediately paid. If she refuses to do this then the council will take her to court.

Brie

lincroft1710 said:

I can only suggest you urge your sister to pay any CT owed and desist from believing in and acting upon unfounded rumours. Gently remind her that if she fails to keep up her monthly payments, the council can legitimately demand the whole of the outstanding balance be immediately paid. If she refuses to do this then the council will take her to court.

Which will add a lot of fees and be noted on her credit history.

p00hsticks

JDelieu said:

The only public service provided by the local authority is collection of household rubbish.

I very much doubt that. 
As Monty Pythons Judean Front would say - what about the fire service ? Police ? Education ? Public libraries ? 
Read the literature that comes with your bill and you will see exactly how your council tax is made up.  

MBR1

You have to pay council tax at the same rate of everyone else (unless single person). I have to pay service charge for the estate im living in and there is no reduction in council tax, and we never see the council sweeping or maintaining the streets, just the private service charge keepers.

fatbelly

Can I just point out that council tax issues do not appear on a credit report.

The council fees for administering a liability order in the magistrates court are relatively small.

However most councils are fairly quick to hand the order to bailiffs who can apply fees of £75 (for a letter) and £235 (for a visit)

And the stuff about the loophole is baloney