Martin Lewis reveals seven reasons why you could claim a Council Tax discount worth £100s – are you missing out?
Plus how to challenge your council tax band
MARTIN Lewis has revealed seven tips that could help you claim a council tax discount worth hundreds of pounds.
The financial guru’s website Money Saving Expert (MSE) said many people could be eligible to have their council tax reduced – even up to 100%.
There are ways to get council tax slashed or even for free, but many people aren’t claiming the help.
The latest estimates show 2.7 million households are missing out.
And amid the cost of living crisis, saving anything – from a few extra pounds to hundreds of quids – can help you manage your finances better.
Martin Lewis‘ MSE advised taxpayers to check the UK government’s website to see the Council Tax Discounts list to check if they are eligible.
It also said that people renting or owning a home could still “check and challenge” the system to see if they are paying more council tax because of the wrong tax band.
Sharing a list of tips, the finance website said you could be eligible for a discount – or even complete exemption from paying Council tax – if you fall under one of these categories:
- You live alone or only with those aged 0-17
- You’re a full-time student
- You’re on a low income.
- You get Pension Credit or other benefits
- You have a disability
- You or someone you live with has a “severe mental impairment”
- You’re a live-in carer or live with one.
Your home’s Council Tax band is based on its rateable value – the more expensive the property, the higher the council tax band.
If you live on your own, you can get 25% off your council tax bill.
This also applies if there is one adult and one student living together in a property, or if there is one adult and one person classed as severely mentally impaired in the home.
If you live with someone who doesn’t have to pay council tax, such as a carer or someone who is severely mentally impaired, you could get a larger reduction too, of up to 50%.
And, if you live in an all-student household, you could get a 100% discount.
A full list of circumstances that exempt you from paying council tax can be found on .
Pensioners may also find themselves eligible for a council tax reduction.
If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you could get a 100% discount.
If not, you could still get help if you have a low income and less than £16,000 in savings.
And a pensioner who lives alone will be entitled to a 25% discount too.
If you are on a low income or receiving benefits, you could be eligible for a reduction in your council tax.
Whether you are eligible will vary depending on where you live.
You could also get a deferral if you’re struggling to pay your bill, or you can speak to your council about setting up a payment plan to manage the cost.
But one thing to remember is if you are struggling you should contact your council as early as you can.
How to challenge your council tax band
YOU might be able to reduce the amount of council tax you pay by challenging your band.
Properties across the UK are put into a band from A to H, and this informs how much council tax you pay.
The bands were created based on property values back in 1991, so many households may find that based on today’s prices, they should be in a different band.
It’s worth checking yours to see if you could get a discount.
First, you need to find out what band you are in.
You can find this out by checking with your local authority or on the postcode checker.
Use the council tax band checker tool to see which band properties along your street are in.
If they are in a lower band than you are, you could successfully make a challenge and get yours lowered.
How do I challenge it?
Contact the (VOA) in England and Wales or the (SAA) in Scotland to do this.
Gather together evidence showing you’re paying more – this could be having addresses of similar properties to yours in a lower band, for example.
If the VOA agrees that your property is in the wrong band, it will contact you to let you know your band will be changed.
It can take up to two months for the VOA to review your case.
But be warned – challenging your band might not work.
While you could get moved to a lower band and pay less, there’s also the chance the VOA could find you’re not paying enough.
This could mean you’re moved to a higher band – and your neighbours’ too.
If you disagree with the VOA’s ruling, you can appeal your case – but only if you’ve been told that you can when you get the decision.
You must appeal within three months of your decision – to do this, get in touch with the .
If the Valuation Tribunal agrees with you, it will get the VOA to change your band – and your bill will change.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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