Property tax like ‘new year bombshell’

Property tax demands delivered every January will explode like a “new year bombshell” just when families are at their most financially stretched, critics of the controversial charge have warned.

As the Government stood firm and refused to offer any softening of the impact of the tax, money experts urged people with restricted finances to plan ahead for the shock of having to find the extra funds.

The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (Mabs) said the increased financial pressure would fall at the worst time of year and called on people not to be caught out. With the tax coming in this July, the first full-year demand will fall next January.