Longitudinal Administrative Databank

Description: consists of a 20% longitudinal sample of people identified on the personal tax file (T1). Income and some demographic data are available for individuals and census families as well as non-family persons.

Who/what is surveyed:
How the data is collected: The databank consists of annual segments. Each year consists of a 20% sample from the annual T1 Family File (T1FF). A sample of individuals is followed through time. Once selected, individuals are in the sample whenever they appear on the annual T1 Family File (T1FF). Since the population of taxfilers increases over time, the databank is topped up each year with a sample of new filers to maintain a 20% sample.

Geographic detail: The large sample (4.4 million persons in 1996) ensures reliable estimates for Canada, the provinces, census metropolitan areas and some subprovincial regions, based on aggregations of postal codes.

Demographic detail: age, sex, marital status, and census family composition

Information collected:

The following is a partial list of the income variables that are available.

1. total income
2. earnings from T4 slips
3. wages and salaries
4. Employment Insurance benefits
5. investment income
6. self-employment income
7. income after-tax
8. transfer payments
9. RRSP contributions
10. RRSP/RRIF income
11. C/QPP contributions
12. C/QPP benefits
13. taxes

Frequency: on an annual basis, an additional year of data is added to the databank

Sample size: 20% sample from the T1 Family File

Data availability: available for the years 1982 to 1997

Reference period: Taxation year

Release dates: data are released within 18 months of tax filing

Response rates: coverage was 96% of Statistics Canada’s official population estimates in 1996

What makes the data valuable:

1. span a 16-year period
2. annual segments are added as they become available
3. provide researchers and analysts with a comprehensive tool for studying the changes in income that Canadians and their families experience

Related surveys or data: T1 Family File

Products and services:

1. Articles in Perspectives on Labour and Income,Catalogue no. 75-001-XPE, quarterly paper edition and Catalogue no. 75-001-XIE, monthly online edition.
2. An Introduction to the Longitudinal Administrative Databank (reference document, available on request)
3. Longitudinal Administrative Databank Dictionary (reference document, available on request)
4. Income Dynamics: 1989-1994 (Catalogue no. 13F0023XPE)
5. Research papers
6. Custom tabulations are available on a cost-recovery basis for Canada, the provinces, census metropolitan areas, cities and some subprovincial regions based on postal codes. Availability of data are dependent on sample size and confidentiality restrictions.

Responsible division: Small Area and Administrative Data