is my local council allowed to charge me for three years of back payments on tax they messed up?

Question

My council is charging me for three years of back payments for council tax due to their errors on the computer when i told them about it they just said the account had to be corrected!

Answer 1

Yes....common law does not allow someone to profit because of an error.

Answer 2

It's down to you to pay the tax. You would've been given a statement at the beginning of the financial year detailing how much your council tax was. If you had a direct debit set up and the amounts coming out were wrong, why wait 3 years and let it go on? Why didn't you inform them that the wrong amounts were being charged?

Answer 3

It''s particularly criminal and the council could have long gone via the technique as according to the Council Tax ( administration and Enforcement) policies 1992. For this to have got here concerning to the Council ought to have had a criminal duty Order issued by skill of the community Magistrates courtroom and characteristic instantaneous a bailiff to recuperate the debt. The bailiff can then levy on products to recuperate this. A courtroom summons might properly be issued particularly easily after one million neglected cost and customarily is. there is not any requirement to be in arrears by skill of two months or greater. If a Council Tax cost is neglected then a reminder is issued giving 7 days to make the cost, if this that's no longer made in the asked time then a courtroom Summons is issued inquiring for finished cost by skill of the courtroom date. Failure to take action outcomes interior the criminal duty Order + costs. Taking the regulation to the full maximum interpretation skill that whether you pay the quantity asked on reminder and it is not carried out so by skill of the date shown then a summons can nonetheless be issued because of the fact the criminal word became no longer totally complied with.

Answer 4

Sorry to hear about your predicament. Local councils can enforce tax debts going back 6 years. Unless you can prove you are not liable they will try to screw the money out of you.Offer to pay the absolute minumum instalment you can afford. Try Citizens Advice Bureau, but make sure you take all the documentation sent to you by the Council.

Answer 5

Unfortunately so, they are the worlds worst for moneygrabbing i have just had bailiffs on the door demanding money from 2001! Turns out theres a "blip" in the system and its just come to light so I have to pay!!!!! Outrageous! thieving bastards and the binmen leave rubbish all over the road what is this money for i ask you they are nothing but organised criminals who dont give a toss about anyone or anything so there! i suggest you arrange for a truck load of dung to be delivered straight onto the council building.

Answer 6

Yes, but if it's causing you financial problems, you should be able to offer an amount that you can afford as a regular payment, even if it's only a fiver, and they have to accept it. Go to the Citizens Advice Bureau and get them on the case.

Answer 7

I spent 2yrs fighting the bstards an lost , something about an error does'nt negate a liabilty , just keep appealing and winding em up , you'l lose , but it's fun , good luck !!

Answer 8

They are a law unto themselves . Appeal against the decision is the first line , then the ombudsman . Fight them all the way and at worst ask for time to pay

Answer 9

I think they can.

You could ask them if you can spread the cost, by paying by direct debit over a couple of years.

Answer 10

Yes they are.