Chance to own up to council tax mistakes
Friday, 20th November 2009.
The council is offering a week's amnesty to people who are wrongly claiming single person discount on their council tax.
The offer comes in advance of a new data matching exercise begins which will show up irregularities.
St Edmundsbury residents who may be incorrectly claiming a discount on their council tax for being the only adult in a property when they are not, are being given a last chance to update their information before the exercise begins on December 1.
Around 13,650 households in St Edmundsbury receive the 25 per cent single person discount which last year amounted to more than £4 million discount given.
Cllr Paul Farmer, St Edmundsbury Borough Council cabinet member for resources, said: “We believe that most council tax discounts are being claimed honestly and legitimately and meet the need they are intended for. But we know that where a household’s circumstances change, people sometimes forget to tell us their eligibility for the discount has ended.
"On December 1 we will be comparing our council tax information with other sources of information, to identify cases where more than one adult is living at an address where the discount is being claimed.
"It is a statutory requirement for council tax payers to tell us within 28 days if they think they no longer qualify for the discount. The council can charge a penalty of £70 for those who do not do this, but we are offering an amnesty until Monday, November 30. If you update your eligibility before then, we will not apply the penalty and will remove your address from the data-matching process.
“Because council tax is a tax, the council is obliged to amend inaccurate records back to the date of any change. This could mean that some households find they have council tax arrears to pay. We are keen to make sure that the system is fair for everyone, and that those who qualify for discounts or exemptions receive them, but at the same time, that other people should not benefit by withholding information."
Householders wishing to discuss their circumstances can contact St Edmundsbury’s council tax billing team on 01284 757275 or by calling in person at the council offices in Haverhill or Bury St Edmunds.
The offer comes in advance of a new data matching exercise begins which will show up irregularities.
St Edmundsbury residents who may be incorrectly claiming a discount on their council tax for being the only adult in a property when they are not, are being given a last chance to update their information before the exercise begins on December 1.
Around 13,650 households in St Edmundsbury receive the 25 per cent single person discount which last year amounted to more than £4 million discount given.
Cllr Paul Farmer, St Edmundsbury Borough Council cabinet member for resources, said: “We believe that most council tax discounts are being claimed honestly and legitimately and meet the need they are intended for. But we know that where a household’s circumstances change, people sometimes forget to tell us their eligibility for the discount has ended.
"On December 1 we will be comparing our council tax information with other sources of information, to identify cases where more than one adult is living at an address where the discount is being claimed.
"It is a statutory requirement for council tax payers to tell us within 28 days if they think they no longer qualify for the discount. The council can charge a penalty of £70 for those who do not do this, but we are offering an amnesty until Monday, November 30. If you update your eligibility before then, we will not apply the penalty and will remove your address from the data-matching process.
“Because council tax is a tax, the council is obliged to amend inaccurate records back to the date of any change. This could mean that some households find they have council tax arrears to pay. We are keen to make sure that the system is fair for everyone, and that those who qualify for discounts or exemptions receive them, but at the same time, that other people should not benefit by withholding information."
Householders wishing to discuss their circumstances can contact St Edmundsbury’s council tax billing team on 01284 757275 or by calling in person at the council offices in Haverhill or Bury St Edmunds.
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