Pay your Council Tax

These are the different ways you can pay your Council Tax:

If you have a question about payments, please see our Payment FAQs below.

Set up a Direct Debit

Direct Debit is the most convenient way to pay. You can pay over 10 or 12 months, and choose to pay on 1st, 15th or 25th of each month.

To set up a Direct Debit you must:

  • have your Council Tax account number
  • have your bank account details
  • If you are reinstating a Direct Debit you should contact your bank first. They may not be able to reinstate the Direct Debit without prior warning.
  • You cannot use this form if you have received a summons. Instead use the Summoned payment plan form.
  • Before you can access the form, you will be asked to sign in to your MyHarrow Account. If you do not have an account, select 'Complete a form without logging in'.

Pay your Council Tax by Direct Debit

Make a payment online

To pay your Council Tax online you will need:

You will be able to view your payment in your MyHarrow Account the next working day.

Pay your Council Tax online

Pay by telephone

To pay by phone you will need to have:

Pay by bank transfer (BACS)

To pay your council tax by BACS the details below must be entered exactly as shown. Incorrect transactions may result in a loss of funds.

Payment FAQs

Help with paying your Council Tax

I do not have my Council Tax reference number

Your Council Tax reference number is a 7-digit number that can be found on any Council Tax letters you have received from us.

 

Your Council Tax reference number is also accessible from your MyHarrow Account if you have linked your Council Tax online.

 

If you can not find your Council Tax reference number, you can request a Council Tax reference number reminder.

How can I check a payment has been received?

You can view your council tax payments and account online with a MyHarrow Account

 

With a MyHarrow Account you can:

  • check and confirm if your payments have been received
  • view your instalment amounts and payment dates
  • view your balance

I want to change the payment date

You can only select or change the date you pay your Council Tax when you pay by Direct Debit.

 

When you pay by Direct Debit you can choose to pay on the 1st, 15th or 25th of each month.

 

If you already have a Direct Debit, you can change your payment date by completing a new Direct Debit form.

Direct Debit Form

Can I reduce the amount I need to pay?

You can check whether you qualify for a DiscountExemption or Council Tax Support. You will need to pay your council tax as billed while you wait for the outcome of an application.

 

You can also set up a Direct Debit. It provides the option to pay over 12 monthly instalments. This reduces the amount that you need to pay each month. If you pay by Direct Debit you will be able to choose one of three payment dates.

I cannot afford to make a payment

If you are struggling to pay, you can check whether you qualify for a DiscountExemption or Council Tax Support.

 

You will need to pay your council tax as billed while you wait for the outcome of an application.

 

If you've received a closing bill you must pay it in full within 14 days. There is no automatic right to pay by instalments. If you are unable to pay this you can send an offer of payment. Do this by selecting the 'Payment arrangement supporting evidence' option on our Evidence upload form.

 

The following agencies can provide further financial advice:

 

If you are still unable to pay then a summons will be issued. Only after a summons is issued can other payment arrangements be considered.

What should I do while waiting for the outcome of an application?

Applications can take up to 50 days to process. You must pay your council tax bill while you're waiting to receive a decision. If it's approved we'll send you a letter advising you of the outcome and a revised bill. If you have a linked MyHarrow Account you will receive an alert when the bill is issued.

Direct Debits

I want to change an existing Direct Debit

You can use our Direct Debit form to:

  • set up a new Direct Debit
  • change your bank account details for an existing Direct Debit
  • change your payment date or number of instalments for an existing Direct Debit
  • re-instate a previous Direct Debit (Contact your bank first. They may not be able to reinstate the Direct Debit without prior warning)

Complete a  Direct Debit Form

I want to cancel a Direct Debit

To cancel your Direct Debit please contact your bank. If you have a balance on your council tax account you'll receive a new bill. It will be sent to you within 20 workings days of your cancellation.

 

If the reason for cancelling is that you have moved house, you must tell us you're moving home. The Direct Debit will stop after the balance is settled. If you have overpaid, the credit will be refunded back to your bank account.

Missed Direct Debit payments

If a Direct Debit payment fails for any reason you will need to make the payment separately. The easiest way to do this is to make a card payment online. The Direct Debit will resume for the next payment unless it is cancelled.