If you don't think you should be liable for Council Tax or disagree with a decision following an application for a discount or exemption you have the right of appeal.
Only the person liable for the Council Tax may appeal, although this does not prevent someone acting as a representative for that person.
You must not withold payment of Council Tax during the appeal process. If your appeal is successful any overpayment will be refunded.
Submit an appeal online
You can use our online form to submit your appeal.
This is the easiest, fastest and most efficient way to get your appeal directly to our team.
Have your Council Tax account number ready - find this at the top-right of your Council Tax bill, it is 9-digits long and starts with a 6.
Appeal a Council Tax decision using our online form
Submit an appeal in writing
You can send your appeal by email or in the post. When using this method:
- include your Council Tax account number (find this at the top-right of your Council Tax bill, it is 9-digits long and starts with a 6)
- clearly mark your email subject or letter and envelope as an appeal
- find our contact details towards the end of this page
Issues with a liability order, court summons or costs
For issues related to a court summons, court costs, or a liability order you must contact our Recovery Team. If the matter has not been resolved by the court date you can raise it at the Magistrates Court.
You can contact the Recovery Team by email at recovery@oxford.gov.uk or by telephone on 01865 252856
If we receive an appeal about court matters we will forward it to them.
Things you can't appeal (and what to do instead)
Don't use the appeal process if:
- you disagree with your property band - instead see Challenge your Council Tax band at GOV.UK.
- you can't pay your bill - instead see Problems paying your Council Tax.
What happens next
There are 3 stages to the Council Tax appeal process:
- we consider your appeal and write to you with our decision
- if you're not happy with our decision you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal
- if you're still not happy you can appeal to the High Court on a point of law
Appeal time limits
We have two months to consider your appeal.
If you don't get a response from us after two months you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. You must do this within four months of your original appeal.
If you get a response but you disagree with our decision you can appeal to the Valuation Tribunal. You must do this within two months of our response.
