Council Tax Question

[MiniMadMike]

Hi guys,

Quick question regarding council tax (could phone council, easier to ask here I expect!), I moved into my first place last June and started paying council tax. As far as I know, the usual deal is that you pay for 10 out of the 12 months of the year, the two free months being Feb and March. I initially though tit odd when I noticed that I had indeed paid the tax in Feb and March, and kind of assumed that maybe I'd get my two free months after I'd paid 10, so April and May. However, today I had the bill for the next financial year, and it show's that i'll be paying 10 more instalments from next month onwards.

So is this normal behaviour because I didn't pay for a full financial year last year, or are the council pulling a fast one?

Thanks in advance for your help, gonna go and see if I can fish out last years bill now!

Mike.

[PurpleMoonlight]

You don't get any 'free' months.

Normally they collect the annual liability over the first 10 months of the year.

If your liability commences during the year they may collect over all or some of the remaining months of the year.

If you live alone don't forget to claim the 25% discount.

[Prolex-UK]

Hi

Some councils offer payment by dd over 12 months. The council website shud tell u. If u can't sort it pm me and I'll find out for you

[MYOB]

I believe the default payment schedule is spread over 10 months, so no payments in feb or mar. Some councils allow a spread of 12 months of payments but you need to contact them and request this. My understanding is each year, the default payment schedule will revert back to 10 months, and you will need to contact the council and make yet another request.

[Old Merc]

You should have been sent a bill dated from the day you moved in to end of March this year,together with the payment shedual.Just make sure you have paid the correct amount.
As said above,no such thing as free months.You just pay the annual council tax with ten payments.
Also another reminder,if you live alone claim the 25% discount!!

[Jockman]

Yup, my council gives a choice of 10 months or 12 months - bit of a pain to change as you need to cancel and set up a new DD so I just left it alone