Council tax review in South Gloucestershire nets £160,000 (From Gazette Series)

Council tax review in South Gloucestershire nets £160,000

1:54pm Friday 12th March 2010

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SOUTH Gloucestershire Council has managed to collect £160,000 during a tax review in the district.

The authority launched a review of the council tax single person discount last summer.

The council said it wanted to ensure that the 25 percent single person discount was granted to only those who were eligible.

Since last August the authority has collected £160,000 from people living in the district who had previously claimed the tax relief, but were found to be ineligible, so had to return to paying the full council tax rate.

Cllr Allan Higgs, executive member for corporate affairs, said: "We need to make sure that the council tax discount is only going to those who need it and are eligible to receive it.

"Our review has so far withheld around £160,000 and we want to encourage residents to contact us before our checks identify them as having circumstances which differ from those recorded on our systems.

"If it turns out that they are no longer eligible to receive the single person discount, then we will advise them of other types of support which may be available to them."

There are currently 31,000 residents claiming the single person discount in South Gloucestershire.

Residents will be receiving council tax bills for 2010/11 in the next week. Any resident who thinks they may no longer be entitled to a discount should contact the council by calling 01454 868003 or e-mailing, counciltax@southglos.gov.uk

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