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Council Tax Billing & Collection

Each and every dwelling across the UK must pay council tax, and residents will be sent their bill via post normally before 1st April each year.

The bill will detail the full charge for the property, less any discounts or exemptions that have been applied to reduce the charge. It will show details of what payments must be paid and when. Please check the payment details carefully and if you are not able to make the payments contact us or your local council as soon as possible. The reverse of the bill will also show the various methods of payment that the local council offers. Not all councils offer the same ways to pay your council tax.

  • Know your rights and your council tax liability based on your situation

In terms of making payments, there can be several options available to you. Not every council will offer every option. You can choose to pay your bill by direct debit, by phone or online using your credit or debit card, by cheque or postal order, at a post office or using Pay Point/Payzone or by cash at the council’s offices. This will ensure that everyone can pay using a method and frequency that is easiest for them. Details of each of some of these payment methods can be found on this page and elsewhere on the Council Tax Advisors website. You should note that many council’s will charge a fee if you pay your council tax by credit card.

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“I am so happy and would absolutely recommend Council Tax Advisors to anyone who is in the same situation I was. Now all my council tax worries are gone, thank you Council Tax Advisors” Hayley

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Billing and Collection for Council Tax

Unless prior arrangements have been made the council tax is normally payable over 10 monthly instalments. A request can be made to pay the council tax by 12 monthly instalments, half yearly or annually. As a minimum the council will offer at least one payment date in the month on which each instalment becomes due. Many council’s offer the option of several different payment dates within the month so that you can find a date that suits your circumstances. It is important that payments are made in accordance with the dates and amounts on your bill or you could end up with a reminder/final notice and then a Court summons. If the payments are too much or the council offers a date that is better suited to your financial arrangements then you should contact them, or us, to make alternative arrangements. Some council’s will also, by agreement, accept weekly and/or fortnightly payments and you will need to contact them to arrange this.

The simplest and easiest way to pay council tax is by direct debit. Your local council can often do this for you over the telephone with no need for you to fill out any forms. The council often offer a number of different payment dates if you pay by direct debit – giving you the flexibility of paying on a date that is most suited to your circumstances. Once a direct debit is set up the council will write to you 10 days before a payment is deducted from your bank to confirm when the payments are due and for what amounts.

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Advice on Council Tax Billing & Collection

Council Tax Advisors provide a valuable service to those who are struggling to pay council tax, offering help and practical solutions for those individuals or families who might have fallen into debt or are not able to make the payments as shown on their bill. Council Tax Advisors staff understand how council tax works and where appropriate they will pass you on to someone who offer independent debt advice on how to resolve debt problems.

“I cannot thank the Council Tax Advisors enough for their quick response in dealing with this matter with a very professional approach, yet also feeling like, it was like a tap on the back from a friend with a “don’t worry we will sort it attitude” RL Hereford

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Where you can find the best advice on Council Tax Billing & Collection

If, for any reason, the debtor does not make a payment of their council tax as per the payment plan on the bill, or agreed with the council, they will be sent a reminder. If this is the case, then it is useful for people to seek help from a company such as Council Tax Advisors, who can offer free independent debt advice plus information and solutions for many issues related to billing and payment of council tax. You can also find information on council tax exemptions and discounts and other related information elsewhere on the website or by contacting us directly.

Once a reminder has been received, residents must bring their accounts up to date within seven days. If this isn’t done, then they lose the right to pay with instalments. This means that council tax for the whole of the year must be paid in a lump sum and be payment must be made immediately. If this is not done, then a court summons is issued and further costs will be added to the council tax. If payment is still not made following the issue of the summons the Council will apply to the magistrates court for a liability order that allows them to take further recovery action to collect the council tax. Once the liability order has been granted the council has the power to recover the council tax using several options. They can set up an attachment of earnings order if they know the details of your employer and you are not self -employed, or if you are in receipt of certain benefits they can attach your benefits so that an amount is deducted before you receive your benefit is paid to you, or they could use Enforcement Agents, formerly known as bailiffs. They will collect the council tax on behalf of the council and will charge you additional fees for doing so.