Council Tax Single Person Discount Review

macman

Because if someone is due to turn 18 during 2023 then the SPD will cease to apply during the tax year for which you are applying (23/24) for a discount, unless they are disregarded as a student.
I fail to see your objection to this, as it avoids claimants potentially falling into arrears during the tax year once a child reaches adulthood.
LA's don't cross check data between authorities, so they can't access your son's status in another LA.

inspectorperez

Anthear said:

My local Council have written to me asking for info as I claim a single person discount.  They are asking for detailed info about anyone under 18/due to become 18 in 2023:  name, DOB, relationship to CT payer, if they are a student - Course title, start date/end date plus they want a student certificate from the college or university.

What do people think about this request??  I personally feel it's intrusive & they are collecting more data than they legitimately need - ie you have to let them know about young people living at home if they are not studying....  Any thoughts? 

Have to admit, this kind of intrusive questioning would get my hackles rising! I had always been under the impression that Council Tax was based on a self declaration in terms of occupancy, and I like you would wish to challenge the need to provide this requested information.

If you have declared that you are the sole occupant for charging purposes when you registered for Council tax (and therefore entitled to the sole occupant discount), I would be reluctant to provide any further information unless someone convinced me that I was required to do so under statutory law. If the Council chose to withdraw the sole occupancy discount for failure to provide the requested information, then you may need to consider whether you seek legal remedy or comply by providing the relevant information.

Putting it another way, don't make it easy for them!!

marcia_

inspectorperez said:

Anthear said:

My local Council have written to me asking for info as I claim a single person discount.  They are asking for detailed info about anyone under 18/due to become 18 in 2023:  name, DOB, relationship to CT payer, if they are a student - Course title, start date/end date plus they want a student certificate from the college or university.

What do people think about this request??  I personally feel it's intrusive & they are collecting more data than they legitimately need - ie you have to let them know about young people living at home if they are not studying....  Any thoughts? 

Have to admit, this kind of intrusive questioning would get my hackles rising! I had always been under the impression that Council Tax was based on a self declaration in terms of occupancy, and I like you would wish to challenge the need to provide this requested information.

If you have declared that you are the sole occupant for charging purposes when you registered for Council tax (and therefore entitled to the sole occupant discount), I would be reluctant to provide any further information unless someone convinced me that I was required to do so under statutory law. If the Council chose to withdraw the sole occupancy discount for failure to provide the requested information, then you may need to consider whether you seek legal remedy or comply by providing the relevant information.

Putting it another way, don't make it easy for them!!

 It has not and should not be self declaration otherwise everyone would claim to be living alone, claim a smi reduction etc.
 it's a means tested benefit that needs evidence to show you are entitled just like other means tested benefits. 

p00hsticks

marcia_ said:

inspectorperez said:

Anthear said:

My local Council have written to me asking for info as I claim a single person discount.  They are asking for detailed info about anyone under 18/due to become 18 in 2023:  name, DOB, relationship to CT payer, if they are a student - Course title, start date/end date plus they want a student certificate from the college or university.

What do people think about this request??  I personally feel it's intrusive & they are collecting more data than they legitimately need - ie you have to let them know about young people living at home if they are not studying....  Any thoughts? 

Have to admit, this kind of intrusive questioning would get my hackles rising! I had always been under the impression that Council Tax was based on a self declaration in terms of occupancy, and I like you would wish to challenge the need to provide this requested information.

If you have declared that you are the sole occupant for charging purposes when you registered for Council tax (and therefore entitled to the sole occupant discount), I would be reluctant to provide any further information unless someone convinced me that I was required to do so under statutory law. If the Council chose to withdraw the sole occupancy discount for failure to provide the requested information, then you may need to consider whether you seek legal remedy or comply by providing the relevant information.

Putting it another way, don't make it easy for them!!

 it's a means tested benefit that needs evidence to show you are entitled just like other means tested benefits. 

Being pedantic, it's NOT a means tested benefit.

You can be a multi-millionaire and still claim Single Person discount if you are living alone.

It's a benefit based on an household's circumstances (how many people are living there and how many are exempt due to being students etc).