The Tax Resources Blog

Archive for August, 2010

Council Tax

Question: What is the point of those affected voting on whether to raise or lower council tax rates?

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/14/20100730/tpl-council-tax-vetoes-on-offer-81c5b50.html

this is a new brain child idea, now hands up all those who’d vote to increase their local council tax bill? that many huh lol.

Answer: My guess is that people would vote to increase other people’s council tax bills, but not their own.

Personally I think everyone’s council tax bill should be provided in an itemised form, and people should be able to tick boxes to indicate which services they approve or disapprove of paying for, and which ones they think should either be delivered more cheaply or should have more money spent on them.

I have no problem with paying taxes for basic and essential services, but I don’t like to see “mission creep” and the employing of useless thumb twiddling idiots on ridiculously high salaries.

If you can deliver extra services without increasing the tax bill above inflation level then go ahead. Otherwise, let the people decide.

”What a waste of council tax, we paid for your hats!”