Oh dear

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Oh dear

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sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 05 7:36 pm Post subject: Oh dear
Just got the form for re-banding our council tax.... I think we're probably going up by a band or two. When it was set up this was a three bed/two reception terrace, now it's four bed/three reception. We bought it after the work had been done, and I thought the tax band was low at the time. Ho hum. Mind you we'll still be paying less than we were in London.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 05 8:10 pm Post subject:
Does seem a little strange to penalise you for adding rooms to an existing house. I dare say we'll go up a band but if everyone either stays still or goes up a band then does this mean the councils raise a large chunk of extra tax? Bring back the poll tax I say.

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 05 8:30 pm Post subject:

Personally I'd bring back rates. As someone who was renting at the time it was noticeable that landlords (who had previously paid the rates) didn't reduce the rents once they weren't liable. All these things are blunt instruments.
I get really pissed off with the 'militant pensioners' down here since their argument always seems to be that they aren't using schools/public transport/whatever. They seem unable to see that it isn't a direct and immediate tax. Unless of course they weren't educated and that's causing the problem.

oldhibberd

Joined: 09 Mar 2005
Posts: 118

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 05 5:09 am Post subject:

Oh dear Indeed. We are back on my favourite gripe. Don't mention the Evil Council Tax.

Allegedly the rebanding is supposed to be neutral in terms of total take. Not sure I believe it. In Wales where rebanding has already been done an awful lot of people have had a nasty shock.

I suppose I should count myself lucky. I filled in this form a couple of weeks ago, and realised that not much has changed for my place, at least as of April 1st 2005. I should be worried about the next rebanding, if the long term plan to enable me to stop having to go downstairs to the loo in the middle of the night means paying the Council lots of extra Ps.

Incidentally are you legally obliged to complete this form? Perhaps I should have just binned it. What I did do was take a whole load of photos on April 1 to prove why they should NOT reband my place. Derelict Septic tank, lack of access, crumbling walls etc etc.

Bernie66

Joined: 14 Jan 2005
Posts: 13967
Location: Eastoft

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 05 8:57 am Post subject:
Just been reassessed myself, last occupier did extension, which cannot effect their council tax. I have moved in on band B, however have been reassessed to band C-was warned about it by my solicitor when he saw the plans for all the extensions that had been done but hey ho!deep joy

crackapple

Joined: 19 Jun 2005
Posts: 204
Location: teeside

Posted: Sat Jul 16, 05 11:46 am Post subject:
Have not been reassessed yet but will definatlt go up a couple. the government does not seem to realise that just because peoples houses are worth more, does not mean we can afford more! besides, everyone gets the same services, why don't we pay the same tax?

Debbie

Joined: 04 Dec 2004
Posts: 160
Location: Exmoor Devon

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 05 1:27 pm Post subject: Oh dear
Sean, are they re-assessing everyone in the county? Wish they would re-assess mine........we are paying the same as a 14 acre 4 bed, 4 reception 3 bathroom small holding up the road even though we have a tiny two bed one reception but the council seem to be unwilling to talk to me about re-assessing for some reason..we are assessed at band D I think and have been for the last 5 years

Bec

Joined: 28 Nov 2004
Posts: 71
Location: Newquay, Cornwall

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 05 1:39 pm Post subject:
Scrap council tax and just pay more income tax in my opinion, that way EVERYONE pays for their local policing, rubbish collection etc, rather than just a few and single people or those fortunate enough to have lived a long time in a house that is now more valuable doesn't have to pay more! Bec

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 05 1:57 pm Post subject:

Bec wrote:

Scrap council tax and just pay more income tax in my opinion, that way EVERYONE pays for their local policing, rubbish collection etc, rather than just a few and single people or those fortunate enough to have lived a long time in a house that is now more valuable doesn't have to pay more!

Everyone? Only people working or taking a pension will pay, people who who have a non salaried income or people who managed to pay little or no income tax wouldn't pay. Income tax is a very poor way to get people to pay taxes as there's so many ways for people to evade or avoid it.

Why not just scrap all taxes and go for a wealth tax?

Blue Peter

Joined: 21 Mar 2005
Posts: 2400
Location: Milton Keynes

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 05 10:15 am Post subject:

Treacodactyl wrote:

Why not just scrap all taxes and go for a wealth tax?

How would that work? and wouldn't it have as many loopholes as an income tax?

Peter.

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