Council tax - how to pay

We offer many different payment methods to suit your needs. You can pay by direct debit which can be set up online.

Direct Debit payments are paid automatically each month. Choose 10 or 12 monthly instalments on either the 1st, 15th or 28th of the month.

Set up a direct debit or change current details
You’ll need:
  • Bank or Building Society name
  • account number and sort code
  • branch address
  • council tax account number 
The direct debit guarantee


Direct debit app
The BACS app is easy to use, secure and it’s free.
It’s compatible with:
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You'll need
  • council tax account number
  • debit/credit card details

 
Pay at a Post Office or Paypoint outlet.

Pay at any: You’ll need:
  • Your council tax bill barcode
  • The instalment amount or the full amount due. 
NOTE: Payments can take up to three working days to show on your council tax account
 
Pay your council tax bill by cheque or postal order.

Make cheques payable to Northumberland County Council

Send to:
Council Tax Section,
Northumberland County Council,
County Hall
Morpeth
NE61 2EF

Receipts only issued on request.

NOTE allow time for the payment to reach us and for the cheque to clear.
You can set up your own payment arrangement.

  • You can pay monthly by direct debit.
  • You can pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly for other methods of payment.

Set up your council tax by special payment arrangement

Important information:
  • First payment must be made within one month.
  • All arrangements must be cleared within the financial year.
  • Arrangements set at summons stage will include future costs.
  • Payment arrangements made on receipt of a Court summons will include further costs of £50.
  • For Direct Debit arrangements, first payment must be no sooner than 14 days from date arrangement set up.
  • Any arrangements that default may result in further recovery action.
You will receive written confirmation of your arrangement. 
If you default on the payment arrangement, further recovery action may be taken against you.
Please contact the council if you cannot keep to the arrangement you make.
FAQ's relating to council tax.

Yes you can pay your council tax and business rates over 12 months, or the number of whole months remaining in the financial year.

We will take action to recover money owed.

A reminder notice will be issued and if payment is not made, we can apply to the magistrates’ court for the issue of a summons, which will incur costs.

Following this, if payment for the full balance due is still not made the court will issue a liability order, incurring further costs. This will then allow the council to enforce payment by either: 

  • Deducting money from your earnings. 
  • Deducting money from universal credit, income support, jobseekers' allowance, employment support allowance and pension credit. 
  • Asking an enforcement agent to collect the money or remove goods to the value of the debt. 
  • Issuing a petition for bankruptcy. 
  • Asking the court to make a charging order if you own your property. 
Contact us immediately, don’t wait for recovery action to begin: You may be entitled to council tax support.
Contact our benefits section on 0345 600 6400 (charged at local rate).
Yes, you can view your council tax bill online.  
 
My Northumberland Account is a free, interactive and secure service that will make it easier and more convenient for you to access council services online. 
 
My Northumberland Account 
 
You can still click here to pay online
 



 
Contact us by:

Here you can arrange to view your bill, monthly instalments and payments online.

My Northumberland Account is a free, interactive and secure online service that allows you to access council tax, business rates, council tax support and housing benefit (including a landlord service), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.