Research Students may be eligible for Council Tax Rebate.
In the past full time postgraduate students who are in the writing up phase of their course have not been eligible for Council Tax exemption. There was a change in law last year that has affected the definition of a full time student.
A side effect, of the change in law is that - postgraduates who are writing up may now also qualify for exemption, but only if they are enrolled on a course that requires them:
- to study for an average of 21 hours per week
-over 24 weeks and
- for at least one academic year and
-they have no other circumstance which would leave them liable for Council Tax.
This law is called: Council Tax (Discount Disregards) Order 1992 (as amended). It is effective as of the 13th May 2011 and now postgraduates may be exempt from paying council tax as long as they are defined as full time by the University of Leeds (and have no other circumstances which would mean they were liable).
What do you do now?
You will need to get proof from the University of your full time student status. This comes in the form of a certificate of Council Tax exemption from Student Services.
There is more detail on obtaining proof here.
Your Circumstances Now-
Further advice.
If you have further questions or your circumstances are not addressed please contact us by:
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visiting the Advice Centre on the first floor of Leeds University Union, we are open 9:30 – 5pm weekdays,
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call us on 0113 380 1290
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Email advice@luu.leeds.ac.uk
Don’t forget to let us know if once you receive your refund so we can help other students.
There is more information on Council Tax in the relevant section here: http://www.leedsuniversityunion.org.uk/helpandadvice/money/tax/