Ways to pay your Council Tax
Your Council Tax bill will show what you must pay and the amount of monthly instalments due. You will receive a bill every March confirming the annual amount to be paid, together with any arrears from previous years. A revised bill will be sent to you each time your circumstances change.
To check your Council Tax balance and payments, as well as copies of bills and correspondence we have sent you, you can sign in/register for a personalised account.
Payment instalments/dates
You can choose to pay your bill by 10 or 12 instalments on either the 1st or 15th of each month, using any of the payment methods listed below:
Online payments
For online payments, you will need the following information:
- your account reference number
- your debit or credit card details
- the amount you want to pay (this is on your bill or payment arrangement letter).
Direct Debit
This is the easiest way to pay and is generally cheaper for you if you pay bank charges.
If you are setting up a Direct Debit within 3 weeks of your next instalment date, please be aware that your next instalment may not be taken by Direct Debit in line with your current instalment plan. This is because, as per our Direct Debit Guarantee, we are required to write to you after setting up your Direct Debit and give you 10 working days’ notice before we take a payment.
As such, when we set up your Direct Debit we will reprofile your instalments, which could either mean we will spread your instalments over a longer period (unless you already have instalments planned in February & March), or we will spread the remaining amount you have to pay over fewer months, which could mean your monthly instalments go up.
If you do not want your instalments to be reprofiled, we recommend you pay your next monthly instalment via our online payments system as well as set up a Direct Debit.
Request to pay by Direct Debit
PayPoint
A convenient way to pay by cash, debit/credit card or cheque at retail outlets. Please ensure you take your barcoded Council Tax bill with you. You may also be able to pay other bills such as water, electric and gas.
Telephone
To use our secure touchtone system, telephone 01283 595865 at any time with your account number, starting with a three, to hand. You will be guided through the process.
Post Office
You can use your payment swipe card or your barcoded Council Tax bill at any Post Office. There is no charge. Alternatively, cheques should be made payable to 'Post Office Counters Ltd'.
Find out more about what happens if you don’t pay your Council Tax.