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Yesterday I came home to find an envelope stuffed with Council Tax bills from 1998 to 2002 on the door mat, relating to a property I purchase in 1998 as a new build and sold in 2002.
Upon closer inspection I noticed that there were credit balances on each bill, and an invitation in the footer to claim a refund. Seemed to good to be true - too much like a scam. How cynical am I, eh?
I called the Council Tax office today and sure enough it's legitimate. It seems that the property has been re-banded - downwards - as it was banded incorrectly when it was built, and so I've in effect overpaid.
My first thought is that I'm amazed they even bothered to contact me.
My second thought was that they had money for more than 7 years!!
So what's the concensus - should I ask that an amount equivalent to interest be applied, or just take it, run and be grateful?
Using HMRCs Official Interest rates for years 1998 to 2002, I've calculated that it would actually increase the amount owing to me by 80%!!
Upon closer inspection I noticed that there were credit balances on each bill, and an invitation in the footer to claim a refund. Seemed to good to be true - too much like a scam. How cynical am I, eh?
I called the Council Tax office today and sure enough it's legitimate. It seems that the property has been re-banded - downwards - as it was banded incorrectly when it was built, and so I've in effect overpaid.
My first thought is that I'm amazed they even bothered to contact me.
My second thought was that they had money for more than 7 years!!
So what's the concensus - should I ask that an amount equivalent to interest be applied, or just take it, run and be grateful?
Using HMRCs Official Interest rates for years 1998 to 2002, I've calculated that it would actually increase the amount owing to me by 80%!!