Research reveals that Isle of Wight council (IWC) owe more than £1.5m to 4,644 people in overpaid council tax charges since 1993.
Update
The figure above was provided as part of an FOI request from end of 2021, but after News OnTheWight requested the latest figures an Isle of Wight Council spokesperson was able to say,
“The local authority currently has £865,025 of credits monies on accounts. This includes 406 executors accounts to the value of £146,485, as well as in year credits where residents have overpaid this year’s council tax liability.
“This is a rolling figure where we issue credit bills and seek to refund overpaid monies.”
Based on a Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted at the end of 2021, Money Saving Expert (MSE) found that across England, Scotland and Wales a whopping 862,000 people could be owed a council tax refund. The figure amounts to more than £150m.
There are a number of reasons you could be owed a refund, which include having paid the annual charge in full and then moving to another area run by a different local authority.
Amount owed at the end of 2020/21
The figures provided by IWC to MSE relate to refunds owed at the end of 2020/21 – which was the most recently available data.
News OnTheWight has asked IWC whether they now have more up-to-date figures and will add to the article once we hear back from them.
Am I owed anything?
You can read more about the research, as well as how to find out if you are owed a refund, if you moved since 1993, by visiting MSE Website.
Article edit
1.55pm 10th Aug 2022 – Updated figures added
Thanks to News OnTheWight reader Simon C for the heads-up
