Council Tax

[freak_unique]

Hey, i have been told that you get January and February off paying the council tax because the council year doesnt start until feb/march or something. Is this true? Any advice would be helpful as this is the first new year I have had my own place and was wondering if i had to pay it for jan/feb or not? thanks in advance

[markja]

nope, they just divided the bill into ten payments. that leaves two months without a payment required.
wouldn't it be nice if they did let us off two months though?

[kempie]

Council Tax is normally paid in 10 installments from 1 April to 1 January, although other payment arrangements may be made.

[freak_unique]

Yep it would be nice. So im even more confused now! Does this mean i dont have to pay jan and feb?as it is already covered in the march-december payments? cheers

[Mortartube]

Most councils aren't intelligent enough to divide an amount by 12, so they do it by 10 instead.

[freak_unique]

Well im confused see i moved into my house september, and on my council tax form it says "Allyour instalments are listed below including those you may have paid" then it lists the dates 1/11/06 , 1/12/06, 1/1/07, 1/2/07, 1/3/07 does that mean i have to pay for the jan and february ones?

[kempie]

Your local council may well have a webpage that can offer more specific information.

[Miss-taken]

yes you need to pay - if you have your coucil tax bill calculated part way through the year, they work out the instalment based on the number of months left up til march. You only get to pay in 10 instalments if you're paying a whole year ie. next year you won't need to pay in Feb and Mar. Hope this makes sense - basically - you do still need to pay for the next 2 months!

[freak_unique]

Cheers Miss-taken got it :) damn i could of done with that money aswell hehehe! Nevermind thanks alot for putting it straight been debating with my housemates over this!

[freak_unique]

Yep i checked the council webpage it really is a pile of useless cr@p lol couldnt find anything on there about it! Cheers for all your advice :)

[Ethel]

Never mind - you'll get next February and March off.

It's usually February and March we don't pay.

Have a look at your water rates as well - I only pay over 8 months.

[freak_unique]

Cheers ethel! Ooo il have 2 check out the water etc then hopefuly il be let off that instead!

[buildersmate]

Its not really being 'let off' the payment - its merely paying for it ahead of using the services in Feb/March.

[freak_unique]

Cheers for all your help guys :)