How to Pay Your Council Tax
The normal method of payment will be by ten
monthly instalments on the 7th of each month, April to January.
However if you prefer you may make payment in twelve monthly
payments, April to March, one annual payment on 15 May or two
half yearly payments, this can be arranged by contacting the
Local Taxation Office. If you wish to change to twelve monthly
payments your request must be made no later than 15 April.
Please don't forget the Council
must receive your payments by the due dates. In the interests of
all Council Taxpayers, the Council has to take recovery action if
payments are not received by the due dates. This action may result
in the cancellation of the instalment facility and could lead to
legal action for the recovery of the total amount outstanding. (If
such action is necessary then this will result in additional costs
relating to issuing a Court Summons, obtaining a Liability Order,
and Bailiff Fees).
Methods of Payment
Direct Debit: The Council operates a
Direct Debit system for payment which the advantages of :
- No queuing,cheques to write or letter to post
- 3 different payments dates, payment can be made on 1st.
7th or 15th of the month.
- If you choose the 15th as your payment date you can opt
to pay over 12 months, normally April to March each year
To download a
Direct Debit instruction, click here
Internet: Click
here to make payment via the Council's website. Payment
may be made by debit card or credit card. Please note there
will be a service charge for payments made by credit card.
Telephone: Telephone the automated
24-hour payment line on 01234 718061 and quote the
Council Tax Account Number shown on your bill, the amount of your
payment, and your debit card or credit card number. Please note
there will be a service charge for payments made by credit
card.
Home Banking: Quote our Bank Sort
Code 60-02-13, our Bank Account No. 62288849, and the Council Tax
Account Number shown on your bill.
At any Post Office or Payzone outlet:
Take your Council Tax bill with you every time you make payment in
order that the bar code at the foot of the bill may be
scanned. Payment may be made by cash or debit card. As
payments made by this method will not be credited to your council
tax account until payment is received by the Council, please allow
at least 7 working days before the due date for payments to reach
your account.
By Post: Your
payment should be sent to Bedford Borough Council, Finance
& Corporate Services Directorate, PO Box 14, Bedford, MK40
1SH. Cheques and Postal Orders should be crossed and made
payable to ‘Bedford Borough Council’. Please ensure that you
write your name, address and Council Tax Account Number on the
reverse of your cheque. Receipts will not be issued for payments
made by cheque unless accompanied by a stamped self addressed
envelope. Cash should only be sent by registered post.
At the Payment Office, Horne Lane,
Bedford: Take your Council Tax bill with you
every time you make payment. Payment may be made by cash,
cheque, debit card, or credit card, Monday to Friday (8.45am to
4.00pm) and Saturday (9.00am to 1.00pm) at the Payment Office,
Horne Lane, Bedford. Cheques should be crossed and made
payable to ‘Bedford Borough Council’. Please note there will
be a service charge for payments made by credit card.
If you are having difficulty in paying your
Council Tax it is important that you contact the Council as soon as
possible to discuss payment arrangements.
The Council's Fair Debt Collection policy may
be downloaded by clicking
here