Council tax is a c**t

[Upholstery]

What kind of a tax doesn't take account of how much money you have? It's all just a bloody con.

Yes - here in Dorset it's the County Council but the same thing. I do think that appeals where you can show proof of trying to sell the property are looked at sympathetically. Worth a go!

No idea why they don’t. They have been sent photos from various locals proving who it was.

They have spoken to the household multiple times. Local councillors contacted but this one house just keeps getting away with it.

Here's a breakdown of my council tax. If I only had to pay for what I used it would be a fraction of the price

It's ok. I wanted to free you up some time so you could search for that deft sarcasm module you've obviously misplaced

Nope, I'm talking about the fact its taxed. The sole reason my husband has to do a self assessment tax form is child benefit. A percentage is taken over a threshold and a higher percentage at another threshold, a bit like .... tax!

Are you claiming it for the NI credits?

Nope, DH falls between the thresholds. You lose 10% for every 1 thousand you earn over the threshold. There is no way to claim a portion of it, you have to claim full amount and pay part of it back as tax.

Awful really. It should have remained as a universal benefit called “Family Allowance”.

It's all going on adult social care, children's services and pensions. People are getting needier and the number of people paying is decreasing.

I suggest that we invest in educating young people so that they can get good jobs and pay taxes to support the increasing elderly population. But that’s forward thinking and who wants that so long as we get the bins emptied.

Imagine if they tried to raise PAYE this budget. It would have caused a revolt! No one dares do that. Look why the tories didn't do it!

We pay nearly £4k a year for ours, I wanted to live in the community I grew up in but there are a very limited number of properties due to planning laws. Council tax has shot up since we bought the house and moved here. It’s getting ridiculous now.

The problem with universal benefits, is that it is an incredibly efficient way to move money around. Which doesn't suit anyone. It leaves the civil service with nothing to do (and remember the only reason we have a tax system is to keep these people in a job) and also fuels incessant "Why does Lord Handshandy get the same as Mrs. Littleoldlady ?" sort of MN threads based on the anxiety that is borne of having too much free time with little productive to occupy it.

The only reason to have a tax system is to keep civil servants in a job?

We both know that's bullshit

Exactly. If any flavour of government said they would sack off council tax but add a couple of percent to income tax there would be riots, or at least very loud tutting.

Prove me wrong 😀

I'll admit the "only" was a stretch

s/only/main/

You made the claim, the onus is on you to prove it

Res ipsa loquitur.

Oh wow, you used Latin. Well done you. Give yourself a little pat on the back

This! We’re an extended semi now paying band E. Next door still paying D. It infuriates me 20 years on!

Well you have to tell the council if you die ( or your NOK does) so that you become immediately exempt from date of death. Then there is an exemption placed on after probate is granted, and another one while you are attempting to sell the house. The council do check property listings on rightmove, yes, or call the EA to check on dates. Second home premium usually kicks in after about a year of being exempt. You can apply to the council to extend the exemption if you can prove you’re having trouble selling the property although it’s normally on a case by case basis

In an HMO the landlord is responsible for the CTX for the property because issuing bills for 10 people would be difficult and messy to implement, especially as tenants in HMOs often move around a lot so you’d be forever issuing and closing bills. Easier to make the landlord liable.

Why? Wealthy people don't need benefits. We need less people to not be on the take rather than more.

Well aren’t you a charmer.

For those on a really low income, there is a scheme to get it reduced. (Council tax rebate).