Again this year I have been approached by HM Revenue & Customs to provide details of all HB paid to landlords and claimants last year.
The “authority” for this request being Schedule 5 of the Tax Credit Act 2002.
This schedule requires LAs to give information we hold for “use for any purpose relating to tax credits, child benefit or guardian’s allowance.”
Again I have asked HMR&C two questions
1) As HB is not taken into account as income for those those Benefits, for what purpose relating to tax credits etc are you requesting this information in respect of claimants?
2) I can see that the information could be an appropriate check of income declaration for landlords who are claiming Tax Credits, but what purpose relating to tax credits etc are you requesting this information in respect of landlords who are not in receipt of one of those benefits?
So far HMR&C have not been able to answer these questions, but just keep re-affirming their right to the information and suggesting that “every other LA provides the information ”.
Do others think I am being too picky here? Is everyone else providing the information?
Any views would be greatly appreciated.
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