Council's tax apology (From Gazette Series)

Council's tax apology

1:50pm Monday 31st December 2012 in News By Alexandra Womack

SOUTH Gloucestershire Council has apologised to residents whose council tax was accidentally taken from their accounts on Christmas Eve.

The authority said the mistake, which affected people whose direct debits were due to be taken from their banks on Christmas Day, was due to an administrative error. In a statement, the council said: "Council tax payers who were due to pay their December instalment by direct debit on December 25, 2012 should be aware that due to an administrative error these payments were unfortunately taken a day early on December 24, 2012. We apologise to those affected."

The council said if anyone affected had been charged by their bank it may be able to refund tax payers.

"If you have incurred any bank charges as a direct result of the direct debit being taken a day early, you may be able to reclaim the charges from us," said the statement.

"You will need to provide us with a copy of your bank statement or the letter from your bank which tells you of the charges applied.

"This should be sent to the revenues service address found on your council tax bill and we will look into refunding the charge to you."

The authority said the December payment would not be taken twice. For further information or advice call 01454 868009 or email counciltax@southglos.gov.uk