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Original poster

Council tax arrears dilemna- help!!

38 replies

Councildilemna · 24/07/2023 15:54

In a bit of panic

i was owing previous years council tax because i wasn't working and it ramped up to about 5k. Balliffs kept coming but ignored them and was paying on the council website directly, bill came down about to about 3k.

Because im now a bit financially stable, i decided to ensure i paid this year CT on time and try not to miss any month's payment (while still paying the arrears from years back).

Unfortunately it is due on 5th of every month and would have been difficult for me to pay then as i get paid 15th of the month , so was making the payments then

Wasn't aware this counted against me as late payments could remove your right to pay by instalment and got a court summons which shocked me to be honest.

I called the council before the court summons date and arranged a payment plan to clear out this years debt before the end of the tax year next year.

I wanted to ensure the payment plan was in place and called again today, and the person i spoke to confirmed it was in place , then as i was about to drop the phone, he asked if i was working, out of panic mode (because i know they would probably track my work and take a huge chunk), i blurted out "Not at the moment."

i asked him why he asked, he lied ( I assume) and said he wanted me to apply for council tax support and i said i would look into it and dropped the call immediately

IM panicking now. Do you think they could still get where i work and start taking wages out even though I'm sticking to the payment plan ?

I cant afford to have 1/3 of my wages taken out. It would kill me

OP posts:
KateyCuckoo · 24/07/2023 15:59

God what a mess. Honestly you need to grow up and stop lying and sort yourself out. Bizarre why you would say you weren't working and therefore eligible for council tax benefit is beyond me. Did you know that non payment of council tax could end up with a prison sentence?

You really need to start being honest and get it sorted.

Changingplace · 24/07/2023 15:59

Why would you assume he was lying? If you weren’t working and would be eligible for support he was trying to help.

I think hopefully as long as you keep making payments you should be ok but don’t lie, you’ll only get yourself in more bother.

When you were paying on the 15th had you missed the first payment rather than paying early for the next month? Otherwise wouldn’t it be paying early, not late?

Original poster
Councildilemna · 24/07/2023 16:05

KateyCuckoo · 24/07/2023 15:59

God what a mess. Honestly you need to grow up and stop lying and sort yourself out. Bizarre why you would say you weren't working and therefore eligible for council tax benefit is beyond me. Did you know that non payment of council tax could end up with a prison sentence?

You really need to start being honest and get it sorted.

No no I didn’t say I was eligible for it. The guy said so when I asked why he was asking.

I definitely know I’m not eligible for it and would never apply for it while working or cheat the system

I have heard it’s a trick sometimes to get people to say where they are working and I just said no on impulse , being a bit nervous

OP posts:
Original poster
Councildilemna · 24/07/2023 16:07

Changingplace · 24/07/2023 15:59

Why would you assume he was lying? If you weren’t working and would be eligible for support he was trying to help.

I think hopefully as long as you keep making payments you should be ok but don’t lie, you’ll only get yourself in more bother.

When you were paying on the 15th had you missed the first payment rather than paying early for the next month? Otherwise wouldn’t it be paying early, not late?

Thank you

Yes so I missed the first payment . For example it was due 5th March but I paid 15th March cos that’s when I get my benefits as my pay day is 26th but prioritised the CT payment with my 15th pay, not knowing it was still a late payment and did that for the next 2 months but I technically didn’t miss any months payment

OP posts:
KateyCuckoo · 24/07/2023 16:08

You need to pay it on the 5th with your wage from the 26th.

KateyCuckoo · 24/07/2023 16:10

Councildilemna · 24/07/2023 16:05

No no I didn’t say I was eligible for it. The guy said so when I asked why he was asking.

I definitely know I’m not eligible for it and would never apply for it while working or cheat the system

I have heard it’s a trick sometimes to get people to say where they are working and I just said no on impulse , being a bit nervous

Show quote history

But that's why he was asking! Trying to be helpful not trick you 🙄

Original poster
Councildilemna · 24/07/2023 16:11

KateyCuckoo · 24/07/2023 16:08

You need to pay it on the 5th with your wage from the 26th.

🥹I know but not so easy when I barely have anything left at the end of the month

Rightly I should have and would have if I knew it was going to count against me

I just want to know pls if they can look for and contact my employer if I’m sticking to the original payment plan?

OP posts:
Original poster
Councildilemna · 24/07/2023 16:12

KateyCuckoo · 24/07/2023 16:10

But that's why he was asking! Trying to be helpful not trick you 🙄

Show quote history

Ok

OP posts:
Roseshavethorns · 24/07/2023 16:14

You should be able to change the payment date. We can choose to pay on the 1st, 15th or 28th.

Bromptotoo · 24/07/2023 16:15

I think @KateyCuckoo has what will be the official position. Whether, in reality, starting from where you have been, it's possible is a different question.

Council Tax is what is called a priority debt because, if it's not paid, the consequences can be very serious; not just your credit rating that's at stake. The council have some very big sticks with which they can beat non payers.

Push>shove you can end up in gaol.

Suggest you speak to an organisation like Citizens Advice who can help you to work out what's reasonable in the eyes of the law and hopefully to reach an agreement with the Council that you can keep.

Stingslikeabee · 24/07/2023 16:15

Have you asked them if you can pay on the 15th?

My council has 3 or 4 different payment dates through the month, so it may be just as simple as explaining and asking if its ok for you to continue payment date of the 15th.

Original poster
Councildilemna · 24/07/2023 16:16

Roseshavethorns · 24/07/2023 16:14

You should be able to change the payment date. We can choose to pay on the 1st, 15th or 28th.

Thank you

I wasn’t actually aware we could choose the dates though I was able to choose a date for the repayment plan

just bloody nervous 😩 trying to be perfect and not miss a payment and I get myself into more stress

OP posts:
Original poster
Councildilemna · 24/07/2023 16:19

Stingslikeabee · 24/07/2023 16:15

Have you asked them if you can pay on the 15th?

My council has 3 or 4 different payment dates through the month, so it may be just as simple as explaining and asking if its ok for you to continue payment date of the 15th.

Thank you

I think it’s late for that now as a summons has been raised though I have now arranged a payment plan with them earlier this month for the 26th of every month

its just the question from the agent that threw me off guard and I’m panicking now they could look for my employer 🥹

OP posts:
Clementineorsatsuma · 24/07/2023 16:20

@Councildilemna they don't need to trick you - they just ask HMRC via a court to put an attachment of earnings on your wages.

Rent and council tax must be your priority payments.

You must pay your current liability and then any extra on your arrears.

They take 17% on an AOE, not half or a third.

Original poster
Councildilemna · 24/07/2023 16:22

Clementineorsatsuma · 24/07/2023 16:20

@Councildilemna they don't need to trick you - they just ask HMRC via a court to put an attachment of earnings on your wages.

Rent and council tax must be your priority payments.

You must pay your current liability and then any extra on your arrears.

They take 17% on an AOE, not half or a third.

Ok thanks

but will they do this if I’m sticking to the original payment plan I’ve arranged with them ?

this is what I’m nervous about

OP posts:
mintbiscuit · 24/07/2023 16:23

Because you are in debt the council will be treating you as vulnerable. Hence asking and making sure you are entitled to any necessary benefits/options if you are not working.

no one is trying to catch you out or go to your employer for money. They are trying to help. I suggest you contact citizens advice and be honest when you speak to the council next. They will help set up best plan for you. Let them know you are stressed but you are trying hard to do the right thing.

Original poster
Councildilemna · 24/07/2023 16:28

mintbiscuit · 24/07/2023 16:23

Because you are in debt the council will be treating you as vulnerable. Hence asking and making sure you are entitled to any necessary benefits/options if you are not working.

no one is trying to catch you out or go to your employer for money. They are trying to help. I suggest you contact citizens advice and be honest when you speak to the council next. They will help set up best plan for you. Let them know you are stressed but you are trying hard to do the right thing.

Thank you

OP posts:
HappyJoyousFree · 24/07/2023 16:32

If you stick to the payment plan they have no reason to take any further action because you're paying as agreed. If you miss payments etc they can and most likely will escalate whether this be court and an attachment of earnings or some other route.

Make sure yiu stick to the arrangement and contact if there's any issue with any future payments.

throwbacko2 · 24/07/2023 16:38

They do t need to trick you into saying where you work, if they decide to do a wage arrestment they will be able to do so without your input.

Elieza · 24/07/2023 16:46

You said initially that you got into debt with the council tax as you weren’t working.

Why did you not apply for council tax relief then? You don’t pay full council tax if unemployed.

Thst could help greatly with the debt you are in now if they can backdate it?

Original poster
Councildilemna · 24/07/2023 16:50

Elieza · 24/07/2023 16:46

You said initially that you got into debt with the council tax as you weren’t working.

Why did you not apply for council tax relief then? You don’t pay full council tax if unemployed.

Thst could help greatly with the debt you are in now if they can backdate it?

Thanks

I wasn’t aware of CT relief then and to be honest I’ve been told this but wasn’t sure I could backdate it

since the arrears is quite bulky , what can I show as proof that I wasn’t working

just thought it was long ago and didn’t think it would be possible at all

do I contact them again with the dates I wasn’t working and they will tel me next steps ?

OP posts:
Original poster
Councildilemna · 24/07/2023 16:51

HappyJoyousFree · 24/07/2023 16:32

If you stick to the payment plan they have no reason to take any further action because you're paying as agreed. If you miss payments etc they can and most likely will escalate whether this be court and an attachment of earnings or some other route.

Make sure yiu stick to the arrangement and contact if there's any issue with any future payments.

Thanks I do intend to

OP posts:
RoseBucket · 24/07/2023 16:54

I pay mine on the 17th, I changed it online.

MortifiedSeptember · 24/07/2023 16:59

They sometimes give some people, discretionary council tax help. Check if your council does it. They don't only give it to people on benefit, they give it to the first people they think needs it and who have applied for it.

Original poster
Councildilemna · 24/07/2023 17:46

MortifiedSeptember · 24/07/2023 16:59

They sometimes give some people, discretionary council tax help. Check if your council does it. They don't only give it to people on benefit, they give it to the first people they think needs it and who have applied for it.

thank you

OP posts: