Council Tax

[summerwind]

If you live aboard in the UK, are you liable to pay council tax?

If so, how do they know you are there, unless you tell them of course?

What is to stop you moving to another berth before they catch up with you?

Is it worth giving up your right to vote to avoid the tax?

 

[Gerry]

Not certain but do know that if you live on a narrow boat you don't have to pay council tax just the british waterways tax- £650 per annum I think. Guess it might be no tax for liveaboards!!!!!!!
Who wants to vote for this load of spineless w...kers. Used to be in politics once- what an illuminating experience that was......

 

[chrisc]

Who the hell are you going to vote for ?

 

[Mirelle]

I think that the answer is that if you live aboard a houseboat then yes, you do have to pay council tax.

My own local authority have a number of designated housebpat berths along the river wall; not all the boats in them are houseboats though; some do go to sea. However, if you occupy one of these berths you do pay Council Tax. If you are living aboard, and not in one of these berths, something dreadful will apparently happen to you - they will presumably charge you the tax and move you on - I never stayed in one place long enough to find out, when I was living aboard!

 

[ccscott49]

If you liveaboard a boat in a marina in UK, you are liable for council tax, I got caught for it in Dartmouth, after agreeing to pay it, the guy left the boat, I asked him to untie my warps, he started to do so, then laughed and left, I never received a demand!!!!

 

[markyb]

Are there any foreign taxes to pay if you're abroard as part of a 'year-out' live-aboard?, perhaps after you've been in a berth/harbour after so long? or maybe after youve been navigating certain waters for so long? Anyone know of any 'fees or charges' incurred ?

 

[ccscott49]

I haven't come across any problems so far, nobody has approached me for anything. I dont know what the form is on income tax, but I dont work in the countries I'm staying in. I do know if you live in france and dont work there, you are not liable for income tax. I do not register my abode in any country I stay in, but I dont stay that long either, thats not my idea of liveaboard cruising.

 

[Guest]

I think this might be a sort of 'Legal' way round things. Find a relative with more than two people living in the house and register that as your address. It doesn't put their council tax up and you can even get a postal vote. You are then temporarily resident on your boat, the defenition of temporary being somewhat flexible!

Roly, Voya Con Dios, Glasson, Lancaster

 

[saltyscrabster]

one turn of the screw settles all debts

 

[abraxus]

[ QUOTE ]
Is it worth giving up your right to vote to avoid the tax?


[/ QUOTE ]

Just ask yourself if you didn't pay council tax and turned up to vote and they asked you to pay a couple of grand for the privelidge, would you think it worthwhile?

 

[Cardo]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Is it worth giving up your right to vote to avoid the tax?


[/ QUOTE ]

Just ask yourself if you didn't pay council tax and turned up to vote and they asked you to pay a couple of grand for the privelidge, would you think it worthwhile?

[/ QUOTE ]
Do inmates in prisons pay council tax? As it appears they'll be getting the vote.
Another bit of truth towards Crime Does Pay

 

[SQUIRRELS]

Seem to recall something about being charged at band 'A' - the lowest band regardless of boat etc. You could always ask relevant council.

 

[abraxus]

I would'nt do that, it will oinly alert them to another money grabbing opportunity.

My view is that if they want it they'll have to find out about it and come round and ask for it.

 

[summerwind]

Strange feeling to see a thread you started three and a helf years ago revived.

Since becomeing a liveaboard I have met many others of the same persuasion. It would appear that adopting the approach of "What they dont know, won't hurt you" is the best strategy. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

It is also important to keep a low profile as far as the authorities are concerned. One couple I met had just returned to UK from Spain. They claimed some benefits and almost immediately were the subject of all kinds of unwelcome questions from all sorts of agencies, not the least of whom were Inland Revenue, as it was then. They were also required to pay Council Tax. They soon decided to move on sacrificing the remainder of their winter stop-over marina fees.

 

[SQUIRRELS]

Did I say, tell them who you are?
Guess it's a personal thing, but if you want to be on voters roll, access to financial stuff that goes with it, it may be necessary. If you don't need that, then hey, head down as they say /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif