Ipswich taxpayers are being urged to tell the Borough Council if they are claiming Council Tax discounts but may not be entitled to them.
Ipswich Borough Council grants the 25 percent single resident discount where only one adult is resident at an address. Currently over 20,000 tax-payers receive the discount at a cost of around £6 million.
The Council is comparing its Council Tax information with data from external agencies to identify cases where more than one adult is living at an address but the taxpayer is continuing to claim a single resident discount.
Councillor John Carnall, the Council's Executive member responsible for the Revenues and Benefits service, said: "We believe most Council Tax-payers claim their discounts honestly and legitimately but we know there are times when circumstances change and people forget to tell us. However, the law says they should inform us within 21 days if they have reason to believe they no longer qualify for a discount. If you receive a single resident discount and you are not the only adult resident at your address, this is your chance to tell us before we contact you."
Councillor Carnall added: "We are duty bound to amend any records we find are incorrect and it is only fair to those who pay the full tax or claim the discount correctly that we do so. It might result in a large bill for paying back the discount and, in cases where we have to contact people and it is clear they have not given us correct information, it could lead to a fine as well. But while we are cracking down on incorrect discounts, we are still keen to make sure everyone gets the discounts to which they are entitled. Please contact us if you think you should qualify for any discounts and exemptions."
Tax-payers can contact the Borough Council's Revenues and Benefits Service by ringing 01473 433910, email council.tax@ipswich.gov.uk or call at the one-ipswich Customer Services Centre at the Town Hall. For more information about discounts and exemptions, they can also check the leaflet we send with Council Tax bills, or visit our Council Tax webpages.
People can also contact the Council if they know someone is claiming a discount when they are not entitled to it. The Council will treat this information in the utmost confidence.