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Say itCouncil Tax Support - some questions and answers
- Q1: What is Council Tax?
- Q2: What is Council Tax Support?
- Q3: What has changed?
- Q4: Will other discounts and exemptions be affected?
- Q5: How can I be expected to pay more?
- Q6: The main changes within the new scheme
- Q7: How can people pay the Council Tax?
- Q8: Can people pay by instalments?
- Q9: What will happen to people who can't afford to pay?
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Q1: What is Council Tax?
A:Most domestic dwellings, whether they are rented or owned, are subject to Council Tax. There is one bill per dwelling, whether it is a house, bungalow, flat, maisonette, mobile home or houseboat.
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Q2: What is Council Tax Support?
A:Council Tax Support is a local scheme that helps people with low income to pay their Council Tax.
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Q3: What has changed?
A:The Government's new welfare reforms have created radical changes to a number of benefits and the way they are paid. On 1 April 2013, Council Tax Benefit was replaced by a local support scheme to help people on a low income with their Council Tax.
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Q4: Will other discounts and exemptions be affected?
A:The 25% single person's discount and the exemption for people who are severely mentally impaired and live on their own will not change. Under separate proposals the Council has applied changes to the exemptions and discounts for second homes and empty properties.
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Q5: How can I be expected to pay more?
A:Spelthorne Council recognises that reductions in support has affected some residents on low incomes. It has sought to affect as few as possible whilst balancing the needs of households on low income against placing further burdens on Council Tax payers. We listened to the consultation responses and sought to minimise reductions where we could, when approving the Local Council Tax Support Scheme.
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Q6: The main changes within the new scheme
A:Click here for more details about The main changes within the new scheme
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Q7: How can people pay the Council Tax?
A:The Council offers a number of payment options.
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Q8: Can people pay by instalments?
A:Yes. Council Tax is normally payable in 10 monthly instalments from April through to January. From April 2013, people can ask to pay over 12 months.
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Q9: What will happen to people who can't afford to pay?
A:The Council is obliged to recover the Council Tax due in an efficient and effective manner. There are a number of recovery methods available.
