A brand new investigation by the UK’s largest client web site, MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE), has found that some 862,027 households in Scotland, England and Wales might be due a refund for overpaid Council Tax. A whopping £150.2 million is mendacity unclaimed, price a mean of £174 per account.
Their analysis additionally exhibits that £11.2 million is unclaimed by some 81,479 Scots in 30 of the 32 councils north of the border, price £137.51 on common. Information was unavailable for Clackmannanshire and Orkney Islands Councils. Greater than £5 million is owed to greater than 27,580 individuals in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Fife alone - a mean of £181.37.
MSE.com is urging each family throughout the UK to verify if they're lacking out on a refund, which may present a much-needed monetary increase throughout the ongoing value of residing disaster.
The client web site explains that there are a selection of the reason why individuals could also be due a money refund from their council, however the important thing one is the place the householder has moved out of the realm and had already paid their Council Tax invoice upfront.
Normally Council Tax is paid prematurely - together with for individuals who pay month-to-month - and, if somebody fails to shut their account or doesn’t pay by direct debit, the council could battle to challenge a refund robotically in the event that they’ve moved. This implies the account will doubtless be closed in credit score.
MSE mentioned the simplest strategy to keep away from being due overpaid Council Tax is to arrange a direct debit with their native authority, to allow them to robotically course of any refunds.
Those that suppose they may have the ability to declare money again can name, e mail or reside chat their council - every council can have its personal course of for reclaiming.
MSE submitted Freedom of Data (FOI) requests to all 364 native authorities in Scotland, England, Scotland and Wales. The map beneath exhibits a region-by-region breakdown of Council Tax overpayments ready to be claimed by residents.
Scottish councils
The next data obtained by MSE.com reveals the entire quantity of Council Tax refunds owed by all 32 Scottish councils and the variety of accounts affected.
Aberdeen Metropolis Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £202,284
- Accounts owed - 980
Aberdeenshire Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £68,667
- Accounts owed - 565
Angus Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £233,235
- Accounts owed - 2,000
Argyll and Bute Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £231,186
- Accounts owed - 610
Metropolis of Edinburgh Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £1,327,890
- Accounts owed - 4,841
Clackmannanshire Council
- Did not declare any knowledge
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (2021)
- Whole refunds owed - £74,047
- Accounts owed - 656
Dumfries and Galloway Council
- Whole refunds owed - £64,142
- Accounts owed - 509
Dundee Metropolis Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £4,268
- Accounts owed - 84
East Ayrshire Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £46,296
- Accounts owed - 857
East Dunbartonshire Council (2021)
- Whole refunds owed - £195,198
- Accounts owed - 1,471
East Lothian Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £161,974
- Accounts owed - 1,277
East Renfrewshire Council (2021)
- Whole refunds owed - £173,617
- Accounts owed - 791
Falkirk Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £54,685
- Accounts owed - 613
Fife Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £1,263,715
- Accounts owed - 701
Glasgow Metropolis Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £2,410,688
- Accounts owed - 15,039
Inverclyde Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £523,009
- Accounts owed - 316
Midlothian Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £156,797
- Accounts owed - 1,311
North Ayrshire Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £134,620
- Accounts owed - 1,046
North Lanarkshire Council (2020) £697,925.87 9,445
- Whole refunds owed - £697,925
- Accounts owed - 9,445
Orkney Islands Council
- Did not declare any knowledge
Perth and Kinross Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £332,479
- Accounts owed - 1,635
Renfrewshire Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £464,751
- Accounts owed - 5,775
Scottish Borders Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £58,941
- Accounts owed - 347
Shetland Islands Council (2021)
- Whole refunds owed - £931,613
- Accounts owed - 534
South Ayrshire Council (2021)
- Whole refunds owed - £198,192
- Accounts owed - 1,401
South Lanarkshire Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £259,739
- Accounts owed - 2,680
Stirling Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £29,807
- Accounts owed - 467
The Highland Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £58,655
- Accounts owed - 584
Moray Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £44,912
- Accounts owed - 281
West Dunbartonshire Council (2021)
- Whole refunds owed - £750,853
- Accounts owed - 10,332
West Lothian Council (2020)
- Whole refunds owed - £50,121
- Accounts owed - 328
Commenting on the FOI findings, Gareth Shaw, deputy editor at MoneySavingExpert.com, mentioned: "Whereas many councils do make an effort to trace down those that have money mendacity unclaimed, they're nonetheless staggeringly sitting on £150 million price of overpayments. You’re much less more likely to have overpaid for those who use direct debit, but it surely’s not not possible, so for those who’ve moved dwelling, it’s price checking for those who may be due - particularly for those who modified native authority space and paid by money, cheque or standing order as an alternative.”
Gareth reiterated that every council has its personal means of processing claims, however some have a straightforward on-line type and defined that it’s greatest to not name on the off likelihood you could be due a refund, however to do a little bit of analysis first.
He defined: “Examine your earlier statements and payments to see if Council Tax you paid upfront covers a interval after you moved and for those who closed your account in credit score."
The best way to verify and declare again Council Tax
Organising a direct debit is likely one of the best methods households will help cut back their chance of overpaying on Council Tax.
Paying this fashion additionally makes it simpler to reclaim refunds if they're due, it is because councils can have the checking account particulars on their techniques making it simpler to robotically course of refunds for overpayments.
Nonetheless, households are reminded to cancel a council direct debit and shut the account if they're transferring to an space lined by a distinct native authority.
MSE.com mentioned the easiest way for households to verify in the event that they’re due money again will depend upon their council.
Discover your native council in Scotland on the mygov.scot web site right here.
For different methods to save lots of, together with out there council tax reductions and learn how to decrease your tax band – go to MSE’s guides on Council Tax and Authorities Grants, right here.