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The Valuation Office Agency (VOA), an Executive Agency of the Inland
Revenue, today announces that it will issue householders in Wales
with notification of their new council tax band in September
2004. The VOA is responsible for assessing all 1.3 million domestic
properties in Wales and placing them in the appropriate banding
for council tax purposes.
In September, council taxpayers will receive a ‘notice’ from
the VOA, a letter that states their previous band and new band,
together with an explanatory leaflet. Taxpayers will be able to
get in touch with the VOA if they have any queries regarding their
new band and ways to do this will be announced nearer the time.
The VOA has a legal duty to review property values to bring them
into line with changes in the property market and ensure information
is up to date. Local authorities will use the new band to calculate
council tax bills for the year 2005/06 and bills will be issued
in February/March 2005. Although a property may move up a band
as a result of revaluation, it does not necessarily mean that the
council tax bill will increase.
The VOA takes account of the size, age, character and locality
of the property and uses sales price data from around the valuation
date to arrive at an accurate property valuation. The valuation
date is set two years prior to the date the revaluation comes into
effect. Because the new bands come into effect on 1 April 2005,
the valuation date is 1 April 2003. The set valuation date ensures
that the value of all properties is assessed as at a fixed point
in time, making it a fair system for everyone.
Mary Hardman, Chief Valuer, Wales, VOA, adds, “We are continually
looking for ways to improve our communication with taxpayers and
ensure valuation lists are as accurate as possible. Once draft
notices have been issued, we will encourage council taxpayers to
contact us early with any queries. This proactive approach will
allow us to better manage the number of enquiries we receive and
enable us to look into any queries before the new bands actually
come into force.”
- Ends -
Notes for Editors:
About The Valuation Office Agency
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) is an Executive Agency of the
Inland Revenue. Its main responsibilities are assessing rateable
values for the purpose of non-domestic rating and valuing domestic
properties for Council Tax purposes in England and Wales. It
is also involved in establishing capital values for the Inland
Revenue in connection with capital gains tax and inheritance
tax as well as carrying out a range of property related services
for other government departments and public sector bodies. It
has around 4,000 employees and a network of offices throughout
England, Wales and Scotland, which provide a local service.
Website: www.voa.gov.uk
Media Enquiries:
The Valuation Office Agency
Steve Perkins
Communications Projects Co-ordinator
Valuation Office Agency
Tel: 0207 506 1926
Email: steven.perkins@voa.gsi.gov.uk
Julie Styles
Communications Projects Manager
Tel: 0207 506 1969
Email: julie.styles@voa.gsi.gov.uk
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