Paying Council Tax

 

Direct Debit

The simplest and most convenient way to pay your Council Tax is by Direct Debit.

This operates by giving a simple instruction to your bank or building society, which ensures the correct amount is transferred from your bank account to the Council's when it is due.

Payments can be collected on the following dates:

  • Monthly - on 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st or 28th over 10 months (April to January)
  • Monthly - on 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st or 28th over 12 months (April to March)
  • Weekly - on a Thursday over 42 instalments (April to January)
  • Weekly - on a Thursday over 52 instalments (April to March)

Please note we are required to give you 10 working days' notice of your first payment. The above instalments are for a full Financial Year therefore, if your Direct Debit is set up part way through the Financial Year, your payments will be calculated over the remaining payment period, and this will result in fewer instalments.

The Direct Debit form should only be completed if you have registered for Council Tax and have received a Council Tax bill for the property concerned.

If you have not registered for Council Tax at the property you must notify us by completing the Change of Address form (this can be found within the relevant links section of this webpage) in order for your account to be set up.  

Set up a direct debit online

If you are not currently paying by Direct Debit, you can use our online Direct Debit mandate form to set this up.

If your account has progressed to a Summary Warrant, please do not try to set up a Direct Debit online as this will not be implemented.  You must contact us on 01475 717171 to discuss your payment options.

Amending your Direct Debit details or payment date

If you are already paying by Direct Debit and wish to change the bank account from which this is paid, or change the payment date, you cannot do this online.

You must contact us on 01475 717171 or by email to council.tax@inverclyde.gov.uk

 

Pay online

You can pay your Council Tax using our online payment system.

Council Tax Payment Card

Please input your 13-digit Council Tax reference number that is shown on your bill.
OR
If you have a Council Tax payment card please enter the reference number by following the steps below using the sample card as a guide:

  1. Input the ten digits reference number shown on the bottom right hand side of your card e.g. 8000219055
  2. Next input your check digit (always second last number of the long number across the middle of the card) e.g. 63192811110800021905522

Lastly input the year in which you want to pay e.g. 8000219055221

 

Telephone Payments

You can pay your Council Tax by telephone using a debit or credit card:

  • 24 hour automated service: 0845 309 6062
  • speak to someone (office hours): 01475 712590

PayPoint or Post Office

You can pay your Council Tax in person at any Post Office or any shop that displays the PayPoint logo. You’ll need your barcoded bill or payment card.

Postal Payments

If you wish to pay by cheque:

  • write your 10-digit Council Tax account number on the back of the cheque
  • make the cheque payable to Inverclyde Council
  • post if to: Inverclyde Council, PO Box 9647, Greenock, PA15 1JD

 

Problems Paying Council Tax?

Paying Council Tax is not a matter of choice and Inverclyde Council will take action if you do not pay or do not pay on time.

If you are experiencing problems paying or have fallen behind with your payments then please contact us immediately on 01475 712369 or email debtrecovery@inverclyde.gov.uk, Monday to Thursday 8.45am-4.30pm, Friday 8.45am – 3.45pm, so we can help get you back on track.

If you fail to bring your instalments up to date you will lose the right to pay by instalments and you will then be liable to pay the outstanding balance in full.  For a current financial year, where payments by instalment are applicable, a maximum of two reminders can be issued.

Please note you will not have another chance to pay by instalments and no further reminders will be sent.

Any unpaid arrears are recoverable by Summary Warrant proceedings with the addition of a 10% penalty.

Recovery action can lead to:

  • you being asked for details of your employment and bank accounts
  • your earnings being arrested
  • your bank account being arrested
  • the sheriff officer being involved in the recovery process
  • deductions being made from your ongoing benefit entitlement

Any associated legal fees with these actions are payable by you.

  • Sherriff Officers: Alex M Adamsons 01324 621 293

In certain circumstances water and sewerage charges can be deducted direct from ongoing benefit entitlement through the Water Direct Scheme.

If you are experiencing financial difficulty whether it's budgeting advice or require urgent debt information then free, confidential, independent financial help and advice is available from Inverclyde Advice First. They can be contacted by calling 01475 715299.

 

Council Tax Refunds

You may be entitled to a Council Tax refund if your account is in credit.

This may be because of:

  • A payment made direct to your Council Tax account, such as a Cost-of-Living Award, that exceeds the charges payable
  • Paying too much
  • The award of a discount, exemption, or Council Tax Reduction
  • Moving out of the dwelling mid-year
  • Your Valuation Band being reduced

We will only issue a refund where you do not have any other arrears outstanding. If you have paid too much but have a balance outstanding for a different financial year or another address, we will apply the amount you have overpaid to the outstanding balance.

We may also use the credit balance to off-set any other debts that you may have to Inverclyde Council.

How do I request a Council Tax refund?

Your Council Tax bill will show whether you have a credit balance. To request a refund please contact council.tax@inverclyde.gov.uk or call us on 01475 717171. You'll need your Council Tax account number. This is shown at the top of your bill.

Please note that the Council is no longer issuing refunds by cheque therefore you will be required to provide bank details as part of your refund request.

It takes us up to 30 working days to process refunds. 

If you do not claim a refund, we'll reduce your future payments.