Retention period for evidence when making a ctax/HB claim – how many years?

boneofo

When you make a claim for council tax and or housing benefit, how many years back should you be able to provide for proof of wage ? What do the rules or legislation state ? In this instance, the council have recently asked for wage info from a couple of year back when the claim was made.

rogerblack

There is no legislation stating you must keep documents for any period whatsoever once you've finalised the tax year.

On the other hand - if you are called on to prove your income, difficulties arise.
In this case, the council is entitled to make a decision on available evidence.
They do not have to prove 'beyond a reasonable doubt' - just 'more likely than not'.

HMRC, or employers may have records - if they are unwilling to help - you might consider a data protection request.

dippy3103

boneofo wrote: »

When you make a claim for council tax and or housing benefit, how many years back should you be able to provide for proof of wage ? What do the rules or legislation state ? In this instance, the council have recently asked for wage info from a couple of year back when the claim was made.

Are you still with the same employer? They should have the information. Or even if you have left they should have it

Why are they asking for the information?