Tax cheats owe council £2m (From Echo)

Tax cheats owe council £2m

10:52am Thursday 6th September 2007 in

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COUNCIL tax dodgers in Southend have built up debts of more than £2million over the past three years, the Echo can reveal.

Some £1.1million of that is unpaid taxes for the current financial year, according to official figures.

Civic leaders have condemned non-payers, pointing out that their actions are depriving honest taxpayers of services which could be provided if they coughed up.

Council leader Nigel Holdcroft stressed if residents were having trouble paying their council tax, officials could help them pay by installments.

He said: "If somebody doesn't pay, then unfortunately, that will have a financial impact on people who do.

"That is why we are bullish in pursuing those people who are not paying as they should.

"I regret to say it's inevitable with such a large number of people, there will always be a few who try to get away with it.

"I don't think there is a local authority across the country which doesn't have the same problem.

"The money which isn't paid could be spent to benefit the whole community and that is why we have to be vigilant about ensuring it is paid."

In the financial year, 2004/05, the council collected 97 per cent of the amount due, leaving £1.6million outstanding from a total £52.3m.

By the end of July 2007, just £300,000 of the year's total was still due.

A year later, in 2005/06, 97.4 per cent of the total was collected during the year, leaving £1.4million outstanding from a maximum take of £54.9million.

By the end of July 2007, £0.6m was still due.

Patrick Nolan, head of revenue and benefits for the council, said tax-dodgers were actively pursued by officers and the worst offenders could even wind up in prison.

He added: "That has happened in Southend, but it was a long time ago.

"At any time, we are willing to talk to people who are having trouble paying.

"It becomes more of a problem if somebody just refuses to pay and doesn't tell us.

"If someone continually refuses to pay, then we can commit them to magistrates' court or even to prison."