Legal News

A Bury tax consultancy has denied allegations of fraud by false representation, after charging £165 to help consumers have their property rebanded for Council Tax purposes, thisisLancashire.co.uk reports.

Trading Standards officers from Bury, Stockport and Cheshire West and Chester raided the offices of Dalton and Dalton tax consultants with assistance from officers from Greater Manchester Police, after complaints were received about the services offered.

Rebanding is a free service offered by Local Authorities. However, a spokesman for Dalton and Dalton said the fee was charged as a “one-off payment” to cover the application to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA), as well as any subsequent appeal and tribunal work.

The company has denied any allegations of fraud by false representation relating to the services it offers – and says that customers are always advised they can apply to the Local Authority and VOA free of charge to have their properties rebanded for the purposes of Council Tax.

Dalton and Dalton issued a statement saying that they offered the service because of the number of homes which are in the wrong Council Tax band:

“A lot of people are unaware of their entitlement to a council tax rebate – the council does not actively promote the service, as rebates are ultimately paid from the council’s funds.

“As we are advising taxpayers of their rights and entitlements, we feel that we are subjected to ill-treatment from the authorities.

“If the VOA does not agree with our findings, we can take the matter to an Independent Valuation Tribunal.”

Dalton and Dalton said it would be assisting the police and Trading Standards “openly and transparently”.

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