Council Tax Refunds
Council Tax Refund
*Please note that you may make a claim directly to your Lender and/or the Financial Ombudsman Service without using the services of our firm and without incurring any fees.
In 1991, the new council tax system was launched. The Government needed every property in the land to be put in a valuation band. But because time was short, and the job being large, the people in charge asked estate agents and others to help and do a drive band evaluation to do it quickly.
Yet, even having all hands-on deck, it was not enough to cover each property and you could have been wrongly evaluated. Which is why you could be paying more than your neighbor even though you live in exactly the same size property.
A lot of people are overpaying their council tax without even realizing it. Here are some of the reason for over payment:
- You did not sign up for a single person’s discount – if you are living by yourself, you are entitled a 25% discount.
- You are living with a person with Severe mental impairment such as a person with Alzheimer’s or a Parkinson’s, you should be getting a 25% discount.
- You are in the wrong band – a banding alteration.
- A discount has been awarded.
- An exemption has been awarded.
- A customer leaves the property and ended their liability.
- Council tax support has been awarded.
- Customer has simply overpaid.
And if you are not getting this discount for years, you must put a complaint in to claim back.
One report stated that a man living in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, decided to question how much council tax he was paying. His challenge was initially rejected but he took his case further and was able to move his band from 'C' to 'B' – saving about £25/month on current council tax rates and getting £200 back in overpayments.
Another neighbor of his who has been living in the same neighborhood since 2001 got £1000s back.
Note: A refund will only be completed if your account is in credit and you do not owe any other amounts of Council Tax. If you move house within the city, any credit on your previous address will be transferred to your new address. If you have moved outside the city and have overpaid, then a refund will be made.
If you are certain you were overpaying your council tax, Ingram Toft can help you. Simply fill out our form and our expert legal advisers will build a solid case and put in a complaint for you.
You could receive a refund and be in a lower council band in less than 2 weeks.
Contact us today!
BACKGROUND TO COUNCIL TAX REFUNDS
The UK Council Tax system is based on the estimated value of a property's worth. It is used to fund local services such as waste collection, street lighting, schools, and social services. It is also used to finance police, fire and rescue services.
The Council Tax is based on the estimated value of a property, which is known as its Council Tax Valuation Band. The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is responsible for assigning a property to one of eight valuation bands, based on the property's estimated value on April 1st 1991.
When it comes to Council Tax refunds, it is important to note that the VOA has the power to reassess a property's valuation band and potentially reduce the amount of Council Tax payable. This can happen if the property undergoes significant alterations or if the VOA finds that the property has been incorrectly valued.
In these cases, the VOA may decide to refund the difference in Council Tax payments between the original valuation band and the revised valuation band. This process can take some time, and the refund amount is usually calculated on a pro-rata basis.
So, when it comes to when you can expect a Council Tax refund, it really depends on the individual circumstances of your situation. If you think your property has been incorrectly valued, you should contact the VOA for advice. They will be able to tell you if you are eligible for a refund and how much it could be.
That being said, it is important to remember that refunds are not guaranteed. The VOA may decide that the property has not been incorrectly valued and that no refund is payable.
In the case of a Council Tax refund for 2022, it will depend on when the VOA assesses the property and if they decide that a refund is payable. It is worth noting that the VOA usually takes 6-8 weeks to reassess a property's Council Tax Valuation Band, so you should allow plenty of time for the process to be completed before expecting a refund.
A lot of people are overpaying their council tax without even realizing it. Here are some of the reasons for overpayment:
- You did not sign up for a single person’s discount. If you are living by yourself, you are entitled to a 25% discount.
- You are living with a person with severe mental impairment such Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s Disease. As such, you should be getting a 25% discount.
- You are in the wrong band, also known as a banding alteration.
- A discount has been awarded.
- An exemption has been awarded.
- A customer leaves the property and ends their liability.
- Council tax support has been awarded.
- Customer has simply overpaid.
One report stated that a man living in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, decided to question how much council tax he was paying. His challenge was initially rejected but he took his case further and was able to move his band from 'C' to 'B' – saving about £25/month on current council tax rates and getting £200 back in overpayments.
Another neighbor of his who has been living in the same neighborhood since 2001 got £1000s back.
Note: A refund will only be completed if your account is in credit and you do not owe any other amounts of Council Tax. If you move house within the city, any credit on your previous address will be transferred to your new address. If you have moved outside the city and have overpaid, then a refund will be made.
If you are certain you were overpaying your council tax, Ingram Toft can help you. Simply fill out our form and our expert legal advisers will build a solid case and put in a complaint for you.
You could receive a refund and be in a lower council band in less than 2 weeks.
Contact us today!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will I get my Council Tax refund?
A: The amount of time it takes to receive a Council Tax refund varies depending on the local authority responsible for your Council Tax payments. Generally, you can expect to receive your refund within a few weeks of submitting a refund application. However, if you have submitted your refund application in the 2021/2022 financial year, you may not receive your refund until the 2022/2023 financial year.
Q: How do I apply for a Council Tax refund?
A: The process for applying for a Council Tax refund varies depending on the local authority responsible for your Council Tax payments. Generally, you will need to fill out an application form, which can usually be found on the local authority's website. It is important to provide all the necessary information and evidence to support your claim.
Q: What information do I need to provide when applying for a Council Tax refund?
A: Depending on your circumstances, you may need to provide evidence of your income, employment status, or any other relevant information. In some cases, you may also need to provide evidence of any changes in your circumstances that could affect your eligibility for the refund.
Q: What happens if my Council Tax refund is rejected?
A: If your refund application is rejected, the local authority will provide you with a written explanation of the reasons for the rejection. You can then take steps to correct any errors or provide any additional evidence to support your claim. You may also appeal the decision if you feel that the local authority has made an incorrect decision.
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INGRAM TOFT will charge 25% + VAT* (at the prevailing rate) of the amount that you receive, whether this is paid to you or off your agreement.
You have the right to cancel the Agreement within 14 days with no penalty. If you cancel it after the 14-day period, then we reserve the right to charge reasonable costs of work done up until the time of cancellation.
Please note that you may make a claim directly to your lender and/or the Financial Ombudsman Service without using the services of our firm or incurring any fees.
Please note that some of the services offered by Ingram Toft are not Regulated Claims Management Services and as such are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and do not benefit from FCA Protections. Click the Link Here for a list of those services
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