Claim your council tax refund
Many people pay too much Council Tax without knowing it. We have helped thousands of households get their money back from their local authority. Enter your postcode below to see if you can claim a refund today. Our expert team handles all the paperwork for you.
Who can claim?
Every householder across England—regardless of whether your property falls under Council Tax Band A, B, C, D, or higher—may be entitled to a significant refund under various statutory provisions. Whether your property has been misbanded, you are eligible for discounts or exemptions based on occupancy, or there have been material changes to the local area, the opportunity for a retrospective adjustment is available to all. Navigating the complexities of Valuation Office Agency (VOA) criteria can be daunting, but you do not have to do it alone.
Our dedicated team of specialists will conduct a comprehensive individual assessment of your circumstances to identify the most applicable legislative gateway for your case. From initial investigation to final settlement, we provide a fully managed service, handling all correspondence and technical submissions to ensure your claim is processed efficiently. Our goal is to secure the maximum rebate you are entitled to, providing you with professional representation and total peace of mind throughout the recovery process.
Customer reviews
Discover what our clients think about our service
The entire process was impressively streamlined and transparent from start to finish. I was delighted to receive confirmation of my council tax rebate within just 4 weeks of filing. Highly recommend to anyone
Brian Moten
It was a simple and easy to understand process. within 2 weeks I've got a response from my local council confirming my refund. Well worth the small fee I paid to handle my claim, very good outcome
Clarice Turner
★★★★★
★★★★★
Check your eligibility
fill out our contact form and we will get back to you
support@council-tax.co.uk
Council Tax Refunds: The Legal Truth vs. The Internet Myths
If you are reading this, you probably feel you are paying too much Council Tax. You are not alone. Council Tax is a significant financial burden for millions of households across the UK.
However, in the quest to lower these bills, misinformation is spreading like wildfire online. At Tax Refund, we specialize in helping clients legally and successfully claim refunds they are owed. But before we explain how we get your money back, we need to clear up the confusion about how the system actually works.
The Legal Foundation: Is Council Tax a Contract?
One of the most common questions we get is: "I never signed a contract with the Council, so do I have to pay?"
The short answer is: Yes.
Council Tax is not a contractual agreement between you and the local authority. It is a mandatory tax set out by the Local Government Finance Act 1992. Because it is a statutory obligation (created by an Act of Parliament), it does not require your signature or your consent to be binding.
Under strict UK legislation, specifically the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992, the Council has the legal power to issue a Demand Notice. If you fit the criteria for liability, you are legally bound to pay it, regardless of whether you "agreed" to it.
Who is Liable? (Who Has to Pay?)
The law uses a "Hierarchy of Liability" to decide who pays. You are liable if you are 18 or over and fit the description highest on this list:
Resident Freeholder (You own the home and live there).
Resident Leaseholder (You lease the home and live there).
Resident Tenant (You rent and live there).
Resident Licensee (You have permission to stay but aren't a tenant).
Resident (Squatters or others living there).
Owner (If the property is empty).
"The Council Isn't Providing Services... Can I Stop Paying?"
We often hear: "My bins weren't collected," or "The streetlights are out, so I’m withholding my tax."
While it feels unfair, Council Tax is not a direct payment for services. In legal terms, it is a form of taxation used to fund the wider community, not a service charge or subscription fee.
Under the law, a failure by the council to provide specific services (like bin collection or road sweeping) does not give you the legal right to withhold payment. If you stop paying for this reason, the law views it simply as tax evasion (or arrears), and the Council can immediately begin enforcement action.
The Danger of "Freeman on the Land" Myths
You may have seen Facebook groups, TikTok videos, or "activists" suggesting that you can use ancient laws to avoid paying Council Tax entirely. They might suggest sending "Affidavits of Truth," returning bills marked "No Contract," or citing "Common Law" to claim you are a "Freeman on the Land."
We strongly advise our clients to avoid these strategies.
While these arguments sound empowering, they have never been successful in a Magistrates' Court for Council Tax liability. Relying on this advice can lead to severe personal and financial consequences, including:
Liability Orders: The Council can quickly obtain a court order against you.
Enforcement Agents (Bailiffs): They can seize your goods to pay the debt.
Attachment of Earnings: The Council can order your employer to deduct money directly from your wages.
Charging Orders: The debt can be secured against your home, forcing a sale in extreme cases.
Prison: In rare cases of "willful refusal" to pay, people have been sent to prison.
These "internet loopholes" are not legal solutions—they are fast tracks to financial trouble.
The Legitimate Way to Claim a Refund
Here is the good news: You CAN claim money back from the Council. You just have to do it the right way, using the specific statutory provisions designed to protect you.
Councils make mistakes. Properties are banded incorrectly. Discounts are missed. Systems fail.
At Tax Refund, we are professional legal advisers. We don't use internet myths; we use the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and the Valuation Tribunal Regulations to hold the Council accountable to their own rules.
You may be owed a significant refund if:
Incorrect Banding: Your property was placed in the wrong valuation band in 1991 (or when built). We can challenge this via the Valuation Office Agency (VOA).
Severe Mental Impairment (SMI): This is the most under-claimed discount in the UK. If someone in the house has a condition like dementia or Parkinson's, they may be disregarded for Council Tax purposes.
Uninhabitable Properties: If your property is undergoing major structural repair, you may be entitled to an exemption.
Household Composition Errors: Single Person Discounts, Student Exemptions, or Carer Disregards that were never applied to your account.
Why Choose Us?
We understand the Statutory Acts, the regulations, and the exact bureaucratic process required to force the Council to correct their errors. We don't fight the concept of tax; we fight to ensure you never pay a penny more than the law requires.
Don't risk the bailiffs by following bad advice. Let us review your case professionally.