Audit Commission

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Council tax 

Council Tax data is expected October 2013.

To find out who should supply council tax data refer to the data requirements.

Extractions

Whilst it is up to the individual body to arrange for the necessary data extract, we encourage the principle of sharing extraction routines to make the process more efficient and economical. For example, we understand that standard extract routines are being offered by all the major Council Tax (CT) system suppliers. If you would like more information about this contact your system supplier.

Requirements

  • As part of our ongoing commitment to keep your data secure, in line with good practice when handling personal data, you are required to password protect each dataset once extracted from the relevant systems. If required refer to our guidance showing how to password protect data (PDF, 207kb)
  • data should only be submitted via the Data File Upload (DFU) facility
  • only current/live accounts should be extracted
  • date of birth field is included, but it is accepted that this is not routinely stored as it is not mandatory for charging of CT. However, if it is captured, even as an optional field, it should be included in the extraction
  • the data extracted should relate to all CT accounts, whether or not there is a discount or exemption. Therefore, this should cover every domestic property i.e. where CT is applicable
Field Data format Comments
Council Tax account reference character This should be unique
Unique property reference number (UPRN) character This is likely to be an optional field but if completed, it should be unique
Title character
Surname character
Forename character
Middle name or middle initial character
Date of birth date Not always held due to Data Protection issues
Address 1 character
Address 2 character
Address 3 character
Address 4 character
Postcode character
Title of other liable person character This should be blank if only one liable person and should be the second named if more than 2 liable persons
Surname of other liable person character
Forename of other liable person character
Middle name (initial) of other liable person character
Date of birth of other liable person date Not always held due to it not being mandatory - DP issues - but this will blank if there is no other liable person and should be the second named if more than 2 liable persons
Discount/exemption start date date
Discount/exemption expiry date date
Discount type/code character Please insert a flag to indicate the discount type/code*
Disregard type/code character Please insert a flag to indicate the disregard type/code*
Exemption type/code character Please insert a flag to indicate the exemption code/type *
Benefit recipient character Preferably Y/N but if otherwise specify key
Disabled reduction indicator character
Council Tax band character A to H (A to I in Wales)
Council Tax amount numeric This should be the full liability, e.g. according to the banding pre discount
Discount/Exemption amount numeric This should be the actual amount discounted/exempted rather than the amount due after discount/exemption
Billing address 1 character If applicable. This could be called a forwarding address, but if a second home discount applies this is where the address of the main residence should be recorded.
Billing address 2 character
Billing address 3 character
Billing address 4 character
Billing address postcode character

* These codes and types vary between systems so a key is required. However, we are only interested in knowing the equivalent codes/types for certain entries and so it is important for us to be able to distinguish these from the rest. Irrespective of what other codes and types mean, at the very least it must be clear as to which fields represent the following:

Discounts

  • Single person: suggested field entry = SINGLE
  • Second home: suggested field entry = 2NDHOME

Disregards

  • Student: suggested field entry = STUDENT

Exemptions

  • CLASS A: Uninhabitable
  • CLASS B: Owned by charity unoccupied < 6 months
  • CLASS C: Unoccupied unfurnished < 6 months
  • CLASS D: Unoccupied in prison/detention under Mental Health Act
  • CLASS E: Unoccupied in hosp/care home/hostel
  • CLASS F: Unoccupied probate not granted
  • CLASS G: Unoccupied occupation prohibited by law
  • CLASS H: Unoccupied awaiting minister of religion
  • CLASS I: Unoccupied receiving care
  • CLASS J: Unoccupied to provide care
  • CLASS K: Unoccupied owner student
  • CLASS L: Unoccupied repossessed by mortgage lender
  • CLASS N: All occupiers students
  • CLASS O: Armed forces accommodation
  • CLASS S: All occupiers under 18
  • CLASS T: Unoccupied granny annex/staff flat
  • CLASS U: All occupants severely mentally impaired
  • CLASS V: Liable person diplomat
  • CLASS W: Occupied by dependant relative
 
Password protect data using WinZip ( PDF, 207kb ) Password protect data using WinZip (opens in a new window)

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