Rennie urges people to contact local authorities on council tax overpayments

Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie has urged people to get in touch with their local authority if they believe they have paid too much council tax, as his party highlighted new figures showing that authorities have banked more than £46 million in overpayments from households.

Scottish Liberal Democrat freedom of information requests have now revealed:

• Local authorities have banked a total of £46,621,986.21 in overpayments from households. 
• There are 293,210 closed and overpaid council tax accounts in Scotland.
• Glasgow City Council is currently sitting on £13,708,493.68 in overpayments, with 76,276 closed and overpaid council tax accounts.
• City of Edinburgh Council has banked £12,694,965.47 in overpayments, with 73,843 closed and overpaid council tax accounts.
• The highest single unrefunded overpayment is for £11,599.37 in an account in Dumfries and Galloway.

On their websites, councils advise households to contact them for a refund if they believe they have overpaid tax.

Willie Rennie said:

“There have clearly been lots of overpayments across the country, so it is important that households check their accounts and get in touch with their local authority if they believe they have paid too much council tax.

“With household bills soaring, people across Scotland are struggling to make ends meet. If they are entitled to a council tax refund, that could go a long way to helping them with costs and easing a bit of the strain.

“Councils allow you to check your account balance on their websites, and you can contact them over the phone or by email if you think you have paid too much.

“Scottish Liberal Democrats are committed to helping everyone with the cost of living, and that starts by making sure people are paying the right amount for their bills every month.”