Council Tax payments are mostly paid in advance, so if your circumstances change you may be owed a refund.
When a refund can be issued
We will issue a refund if you move home and do not owe any other money to Oxford City Council.
Who the refund can be issued to
Only the person who paid the Council Tax can request a refund. We may ask for proof of payment to make sure that the personal details match the Council Tax account and the refund application.
How will the refund be paid
Council Tax refunds will be paid back via the method they have been paid to us.
This is to protect you from loss from stolen card details, and this is in line with our policies to prevent money laundering.
When you need to give us your bank account details
For most refunds we will not need to ask you for bank details.
We will only need to ask for bank details when:
- the bank account has been closed, and we need new bank details
- the card that paid the account has expired
- if you paid us using PayPoint
- when you are an executor of an estate for a deceased person
Again, we may ask for proof of payment to make sure that the personal details match the Council Tax account and the refund application.
Joint accounts
If your Council Tax account is a joint account and you do not pay by Direct Debit, you must provide either:
- a signed letter from both people named on the Council Tax bill giving permission for the refund to be paid to one person
- proof of the last payments made covering the credit amount such as a copy of a bank statement or receipts
If the Council Tax account holder has passed away
If you are claiming a refund on a Council Tax account for someone who has passed away, you must provide either:
- proof of probate
- a copy of the will naming you as an executor or administrator of the account
If there are multiple named executors or administrators, you must also provide a signed letter of authority from all parties giving permission for the refund to be paid to you.
How to claim a refund
You can quickly receive a Council Tax refund by accessing our online Council Tax portal and if the account is in credit, it will give you the option to 'Request a refund'.
