Frequently Asked Questions
Our Frequently Asked Questions are listed below. If you cannot find the answer you are looking for please check the Council Tax Individual Account Enquiries page. Alternatively you can email you question to us at revenues@wigan.gov.uk or call us on 01942 828696.
Can I pay weekly or fortnightly?
Yes. But you must contact us to make an arrangement like this and we can send you a new bill.
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I am having difficulty paying my bill. Can I get help?
Don't let the situation get any worse. Contact us straight away on 01942 828696.
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Do I get a discount for paying by Direct Debit?
No. It is true that the council saves money when customers pay by Direct Debit but this is all taken into account when the Council Tax is set each year. Direct Debit is still the easiest way to pay and you can choose the most convenient of three dates in the month to make your payments. These dates are the 6th, 15th and 27th of the months. You can choose to pay over 12 months instead of 10 if you pay by Direct Debit on the 6th of each month and you set your Direct Debit up before the middle of March for the forthcoming year.
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Do I still have to pay if I am waiting for my benefit claim to be work out?
Normally yes. We do not know how much benefit you will be entitled to so we normally ask you to continue making your payments. However, if you are having difficulty in making the payments please contact us on 01942 828696 and we will try to agree affordable payments with you.
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I am jointly liable for the Council Tax with another person and we have both been sent bills. Does this mean we have to pay twice?
No. We send a copy of the same bill to each liable person to make sure that each personis aware of the bill.
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Do I qualify for a Disabled Reduction if I have a stair lift?
No. To qualify for the disabled persons reduction a room must be used mainly to meet the needs of the disabled person. Or that person must have to use a wheelchair in the property. A stair lift would not meet these requirements.
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Do I have to make an appointment to come and see someone about my Council Tax, benefit claim or Business Rates?
No. Our customer enquiry staff can deal with most enquiries.
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How can I make a formal complaint.
We hope that you never need to make a formal complaint about our service. If you do have a complaint please contact us first and we will do our best to put things right. The council has a formal complaints process which you should use to make a formal complaint. See, http://www.wigan.gov.uk/Services/CouncilDemocracy/Consultation/
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How do I appeal against my Band?
Appeals against the band that your property has been placed in must be made to the Valuation Office. Please see our page called Council Tax Banding and Valuation Appeals for more information.
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Can I get a reduction because:
My dustbin hasn't been empted.
I live on a new estate and there are no street lights.
I don't use any council services.
Generally no. The Council Tax you pay is based on the Valuation Band of your property and the number of people that live there. The payments you make are a tax and not a direct payment for services. They cannot be reduced because you have not received a service.
Can I get a reduction because:
I live next to a tip.
I live on an unadopted road.
If there has been a change in the immediate neighbourhood of your property (for example, a new tip has opened) and it has affected your property's value then you may be able to appeal against the band of your property. Please see our pages called Council Tax Banding and Valuation Appeals for more information.
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Why is the value of my property not the same as its valuation band?
The value of a property for Council Tax banding is based on it's market value on 1 April 1991. If the value of your property has changed since then because of changes in the property market it will not affect the banding.
However, if the value has changed because of a physical change to your property or the local area (for example, you have demolished your garage) you may be able to appeal against the banding. See our page called Council Tax Banding and Valuation Appeals for more information.
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