The Council Tax is a way of raising money to pay for the services provided by a local council. These include for example services like education, social services, libraries, refuse collection, street lighting and leisure.

The Council Tax is based on the value of a property. All homes are subject to the Council Tax. These include flats and houses whether rented or owned and whether lived in or not. There is one Council Tax bill for each domestic property. The bill can be reduced for people who live on their own and for some people with disabilities.

Council Tax Bands 2013/14 and where it goes

Financial Information showing how your council tax is spent can be found in the links to the right. If you wish to have a paper copy of these documents please contact the Revenues Team on 01827 709530.

The actual amount of Council Tax you pay will depend on which Council Tax band your property is in. Over 90% of people in Tamworth pay less than the Band E charge. Any discounts or reductions you are entitled to receive may reduce your charge.

If you have any questions regarding Council Tax, please contact:
The Council Tax Team, Tamworth Borough Council, Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth, Staffs, B79 7BZ

Telephone: 01827 709530
Email: counciltax@tamworth.gov.uk

Important Information

There have been a number of calls received from council tax payers who have received a letter from a company providing a "no win, no fee" service regarding property bandings.

Randall & Vickers have been in touch with residents across the borough claiming they could help them to get their council tax band reduced. The company will charge the individual 30% of any reduction they receive.

Tamworth Borough Council strongly advises customers who want to check if their banding is correct to contact the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). They are responsible for assessing the council tax bands on all domestic properties and will be able to review your band. There is no charge for this service.

All people need to do is contact the VOA and explain why they think their current band is wrong. If after investigating the VOA agrees, the band will be changed, however the band could go up as well as down. You can visit the VOA web site for more details or telephone them on 03000 501501, or by post to Blackburn House, Old Hall Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 3BS.

Council Tax Referendums

The Localism Act 2011 gained royal assent on 15 November 2011.

Each financial year, the government proposes a limit to how much council tax could go up by. This would be determined by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and have to be approved by the House of Commons. If a council wanted to raise taxes above this limit, it would have to hold a referendum and get agreement to the rise from local people.

In respect of 2013/14 financial year, the Secretary of State has set a limit of 2.0%. Tamworth Borough Council has a 1.97% increase for 2013/14.

Tamworth Borough Council has a duty to protect public funds and we may need to check your Council Tax information with other information we hold. We may also exchange information with other agencies, councils, government departments or bodies administering public funds to:

• make sure the information is accurate
• detect crime
• protect public funds

If you wish to know more about the information about you or the way we use it please write to the information officer at Tamworth Borough Council or e-mail foimailbox@tamworth.gov.uk