Pay council tax
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Council tax bills and how to pay
Council tax bills
How to pay
The most common method of paying Council Tax is over ten monthly instalments from April to January. This is usually how we will ask you to pay unless you already have another arrangement with us, or you have fallen into arrears.
You can request your instalments to run over twelve months instead, from April to March. If you wish to spread your payments to March 2014, contact us.
Payments can be made;
- by Direct Debit
- by making an online payment
- by calling our 24-hour debit card service
- by post
- via paypoint
- at a post office
- via telephone/internet banking
If you're behind with your payments
Please note that if you pay through a Post Office or PayPoint outlet there will be a delay before the council receives your payment. Delayed payments could mean you lose your right to pay by instalments. Because of this you are advised to pay any arrears directly to the council.
The most common method of paying Council Tax is over ten monthly instalments from April to January. This is usually how we will ask you to pay unless you already have another arrangement with us, or you have fallen into arrears.
You can request your instalments to run over twelve months instead, from April to March.
Your bill explained
Council tax is your way of helping to pay for local services like education, parks and household rubbish collections.
The amount of council tax you have to pay depends on which property band your home is in - though your final bill will be adjusted if you qualify for any of the council tax discounts or exemptions, or if you qualify for help with your council tax because you have a low income. Your bill will also be adjusted if you are charged a premium.
- See your Council Tax bill explained [PDF 105kb]
- Council Tax bills with a Council Tax Reduction (The scheme replacing Council Tax Benefit from April 2013.)
- Find out more information about Council Tax
Direct Debit
Why not set up a Direct Debit?
Direct Debit is a convenient and safe way to pay. Once it’s set up the payments are done automatically – saving on stamps, paper, envelopes, trips to a postbox or phone calls. It also means no more worries about forgetting to pay and the hassle that can cause.
Did you know, we will setup your direct debit to continue next year so you do not need to contact us again.
Council tax can be paid on either 1st, 6th, 15th, or 25th each month. Simply call us on (01273) 291291 to arrange payment by Direct Debit. Please have your bill and your bank account details ready when you call. Alternatively you can download, print and send us a completed Direct Debit form.
If you need to change your direct debit bank details or change the date of the direct debit please ring us on (01273) 291291
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Online payments
You can pay on the council's websites using your debit or credit card. Go to Pay your bills online and choose council tax from the drop down menu.
24-hour debit card payments by telephone
You can pay over the phone using your debit card, any time, any day by calling us on (01273) 291908.
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Paying by post
Send a cheque to: Council Tax, Brighton & Hove City Council, PO Box 2929, Brighton, BN1 1PS.
Cheques should be payable to 'Brighton & Hove City Council'.
Please write your address and reference number on the back of your cheque so that we can match your payment to your bill.
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PayPoint
PayPoint is the convenient and easy way to pay your household bills, top up your mobile phone and make other payments in cash.
There are over 19,000 outlets across the UK, all located in local newsagents, convenience stores and forecourts, carefully selected for their long opening hours and friendly service.
Please use our Agent Locator at Paypoint to find your nearest PayPoint outlet.
If you have misplaced your Council Tax bill and wish to make a payment at a PayPoint outlet, you can generate and print your own barcoded payment slip using our online barcode generator. Take the printed slip to your chosen PayPoint outlet and they will be able to take your payment.
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Post office
Take your council tax bill to any post office. Your bill has a bar code that they can read. You will not be charged for this service. Make cheques payable to Post Office Ltd. Please allow at least five working days for payments to reach us.
If you don't have your bill but know your account number, you can print your own barcoded payment slip using our online barcode generator. Take the printed slip to the post office of your choice and they will be able to take your payment.
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Telephone and internet banking
If you use telephone or internet banking, you can contact your bank quoting the following details:
- sort code 08-90-25 (Co-operative Bank PLC)
- bank a/c 61025121
- your council tax account number (shown on the front of your bill)
You should allow at least five working days for payments to reach us.
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Are you having trouble paying?
If you have financial problems, you should contact the Council Tax team as soon as possible. You can then discuss the instalment options that will suit you best.
Are you eligible for a council tax reduction?
- Council Tax Reduction is Brighton & Hove City Council’s scheme to help low income households with their council tax bills.
- You may be eligible if you pay council tax and your income and capital (savings and investments) are below a certain level.
- To find out if you are eligible for help with your council tax use our online calculator and application form.
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