## Could You Be Sitting On a Council Tax Refund? Martin Lewis Reveals a Secret Trick
Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis, has just unveiled a secret trick in his latest newsletter that could potentially land you a council tax refund you never knew you were owed. It’s a revelation that has left many surprised, and with good reason.
According to a recent investigation by MSE, an astounding £141 million in council tax refunds is currently waiting to be claimed by 808,000 UK households.
While local authorities strive to reimburse overpayments, those who have moved homes might be missing out on this potential windfall if the council can’t track them down. It’s your responsibility to claim the money back.
Are You Eligible for a Refund?
According to Martin Lewis, you’re most likely eligible for a council tax refund if you’ve moved out of a council area since 1993 and didn’t pay by Direct Debit. This is because local authorities can utilize your Direct Debit details to make the payment, even if they don’t have your current address. If you’ve paid by any other method, that money might be sitting idle, waiting for you to claim it.
Here are some common reasons why you could be owed a refund:
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You paid in advance and moved out before the year ended:
For example, you paid 10 months of council tax but moved out after six months without providing a forwarding address.*
You forgot to cancel a payment after moving out:
This means you could be paying council tax even though you no longer live in the property.*
You’re due a retrospective discount:
In certain cases, a property might be rebanded after you’ve moved out, leading to refunds for previous taxpayers who paid extra.While these are the most common scenarios, there are other exceptions. For instance, if you moved within the same local authority or paid by direct debit, you could still be owed money. This is because the council might have struggled to determine who should receive the refund, especially in households with multiple bill-payers.
How to Claim Your Refund
The good news is checking if you’re owed a refund is a simple and quick process. Google ‘[council name] Council Tax refund form’ to find out if your previous local authority has specific forms available online. You’ll likely need information like your old council tax reference number, which can be found on your bills. This is often the quickest and easiest way to reclaim your money.
If your local authority doesn’t have an online form, the search should still direct you to information on how to reclaim overpayments, typically through email or phone contact. However, Martin Lewis advises checking if you meet the criteria first before reaching out to the council.
Other Ways to Reduce Your Council Tax Bill
Even if you’re not eligible for a council tax refund, there are other ways to reduce your bill, as outlined by Martin Lewis.
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Check your tax band:
A significant number of homes could be incorrectly classified, leading to overpayments. Check your postcode on Gov.uk (England) or the SAA website (Scotland) to see if your band is accurate. Compare your band to your neighbors’ if you feel comfortable doing so. If it seems significantly different, consider appealing to the council.*
Take advantage of discounts:
Many households qualify for council tax discounts, which can significantly reduce your bill or even lead to a backdated refund for overpayments. These include:*
Single adult households:
Get 25% off your council tax.*
Full-time student households:
Exempt from council tax.*
Home with a live-in carer:
Receive up to 50% off.You might also be eligible for a reduction if you or a household member has a severe mental impairment, are on means-tested benefits like Universal Credit or Pension Credit, or your property has been adapted for someone with a disability.
Don’t be Shy to Claim What’s Yours
Remember, don’t let guilt hold you back from claiming a council tax refund you’re rightfully owed. This is your hard-earned money that you shouldn’t be missing out on.
