UK households are being handed two free months of council tax in February and March. Your Council Tax bill tells you how much you have to pay for the year, how that amount has been worked out and the dates you have to pay.
The cost is usually split into 10 monthly payments. Contact your local council immediately if you’re having trouble paying – they can help you, for example by spreading your payments over 12 months instead of 10.
The council can take action to reclaim any debts you owe if you get behind with your payments. You can usually pay your Council Tax, which has bands ranging from A to H, online. You can also use ‘Paypoint’, ‘Payzone’ or ‘Quickcards’ for cash payments at post offices, banks, newsagents and convenience stores.
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Check your bill to find out which other payment methods you can use. Hyndburn Council explains: “A standard Council Tax bill is payable over 10 months from April to January, usually on the first of each month (other dates are available by Direct Debit include the 10th, 20th and 28th). This gives people two months off paying Council Tax in February and March, sometimes referred to as ‘free months’.
“However, this does not suit everyone and many people choose to spread their bill out over 12 months. To do this, please contact us. There is no qualifying criteria, this is done on request and is available to everyone. This change will remain on your account until you ask us to change it – so next year your bill will be automatically set over 12 months.
“All of our bills are sent out with monthly instalments, however you have the option of choosing to pay weekly if this suits you. All you need to do is ensure that your weekly amounts add up to the monthly amount due on or before the day the bill is due.
“As an example, if your bill is £100 due on 1st April, you can make four weekly payments of £25 leading up to the 1st April and your payment will have been made. Many people prefer to manage their money this way. If you are struggling to manage your bill or your payment date does not suit you please contact us as soon as you can as we will be happy to help you manage your bill.”