Hello, this is my first time posting and I really hope someone can help me.

I have got myself into a complete mess with my council tax over the last year or so.

I have completely neglected payments as I have simply not had the money to pay.

It have now got to the point where my employer has received an attachment of earnings order,

I think maybe 2. At first I was OK with this as at least my arrears will now be paid.

After thinking about how much will be deducted from my earnings I am very worried that I am going to be left with nothing to live on.

If there are 2 orders, 7% of my net income (i assume the deduction will be off my net income after tax and national insurance?) will be deducted twice which would be 34%? This would add up to £520.00.

This would leave me with around £1000.00 to live off.

My rent is £525.00

i have car finance for £191 plus energy bills, water etc.

Once everything has been paid I will have nothing.

I am 8 weeks pregnant,

I don't want to be so stressed and worried about this.

I am worried that I will be unable to afford to put food on my table and put my unborn child's health and risk as well as my own.

I am aware this is my own silly fault but I was wondering is there anything i can do about this?

Can so much money be deducted at once?

Thanks.

Hi ali3942 and Welcome to CAG

I have moved your thread to the appropriate Forum...please continue to post here to your thread.

Regards

Andy

What is an Attachment of Earnings order?

It is a legal document that is sent to your employer which requires them to take money from your wage to pay your outstanding council tax bill. Your employer can also take an extra £1 for each deduction for their administration costs.

We can send a maximum of 2 orders at any one time and you will be issued with a copy of each order.

When will deductions start?

We ask your employer to start making deductions as soon as possible. You will need to ask them when this will be if you are unsure.

How much will be taken from my wage?

The amount deducted is calculated based on a percentage of your net pay as detailed in the tables below.

Weekly Pay:

Net Weekly Earnings

Weekly Deductions

Deduction Rate

Not Exceeding £75

Nil

0%

Exceeding £75 but not exceeding £135

£2.25 to £4.05

3%

Exceeding £135 but not exceeding £185

£6.75 to £9.25

5%

Exceeding £185 but not exceeding £225

£12.95 to £15.75

7%

Exceeding £225 but not exceeding £355

£27.00 to £42.60

12%

Exceeding £355 but not exceeding £505

£60.35 to £85.85

17%

Exceeding £505

Minimum £85.85

17% in respect of the first £505 and 50% of the remainder

Monthly Pay:

Net Monthly Earnings

Monthly Deductions

Deduction Rate

Not Exceeding £300

Nil

0%

Exceeding £300 but not exceeding £550

£9.00 to £16.50

3%

Exceeding £550 but not exceeding £740

£27.50 to £37.00

5%

Exceeding £740 but not exceeding £900

£51.80 to £63.00

7%

Exceeding £900 but not exceeding £1,420

£108.00 to £170.40

12%

Exceeding £1,420 but not exceeding £2,020

£241.40 to £343.40

17%

Exceeding £2,020

Minimum £343.40

17% in respect of the first £2,020 and 50% in respect of the remainder

You can calculate the amount of deductions that your employer will make below.

http://www.northampton.gov.uk/info/200028/council-tax/996/council-tax-attachment-of-earnings

Return car to Finance Co asap, thus saving £190 / month.

Claim all Benefits to which you are entitled eg single occupant 25% C Tax rebate, but ensure you pay any rent when due - a Priority debt.

So far you have been lucky, many C Tax evaders receive a short prison sentence.

The Attachment of Earnings Order may mean you already have a CCJ on your Credit file, thus making future credit/acom difficult to obtain.

You won't get a CCJ or similar for CT arrears or for an AoE for them.

Don't forget when they are working this out that although they may deduct up to the maximum for the first Order then this must be deucted before they can work out the second meaning you may pay 17% for the first Order but only 7% for the second.

Obviously these are only guesses at figures and providing your Income & Expenditure backs it up there is a possibility you may be able to claim hardship and have the 2nd Order suspended ot even both reduced - there are a lot of variables

I have been through this. Councils are being very harsh by slapping 2 AOE's at the same time, and causing far too much hardship

With 1 attachment, they would get the money just the same. Ringing them up is also a total waste of time.

I rang my local councillor, and rang / emailed the head of council and explained the situation. (All details should be on the internet). Within 15 minutes the second AOE had been lifted.

Job done