Polanski Addresses Council Tax Liability on Houseboat
Zack Polanski has confirmed that he will pay any outstanding council tax he owes, stating that he believed he was not liable for the charge while residing on a houseboat in London.
The Green Party leader informed the BBC that he could be responsible for between £3,000 and £4,000 in unpaid council tax, which is owed to the London borough of Waltham Forest.
However, Polanski noted that the council has not yet informed him whether he faces a bill for unpaid tax and suggested that he may not owe anything at all.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Polanski described calculating the tax bill for living on a boat as "complicated."
Last month, Polanski, who serves on the Greater London Assembly, was cleared by the Greater London Authority following a complaint regarding this matter.
"The council have still not reached a decision because they're saying that at the marina where I was living, largely they're paying business rates, which is what I assumed was what I was paying instead of council tax.
I said to the council and I'll say again, if I am found to owe any money, then of course I will pay that."
Polanski also stated that he does not know the exact amount he might owe.
Waltham Forest council has previously indicated it is seeking legal advice concerning "complex factors unique to moorings."
"Ultimately the council are saying that it might look like I don't owe anything at all, because of the business rates.
If you were going to work it out in terms of Waltham Forest, it's probably about between £3,000 and £4,000, if I were to owe something."
In May, the Green Party acknowledged that Polanski may have failed to pay council tax on the houseboat, which was his residence until recently.
The party stated that Polanski apologized and had "taken steps to pay any council tax he may be found to owe."
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