If you already pay by Direct Debit

If you paid your council tax by direct debit last year, you don’t need to set up a new one unless your bank details have changed. Your payments will be taken automatically, on the dates shown on your bill.  

Set up a new Direct Debit

You will need to set up a new direct debit if:

• someone has moved in or out of your property and you’ve been given a new council tax account number
• you’ve changed your bank details
• you’ve had to cancel your previous direct debit for any reason
• you’ve previously paid your council tax using a different method

You’ll need to quote your council tax account number.

Direct Debit instalments

You will usually pay in 10 monthly instalments, from April to January.

If you move home part way through the year, your payments will usually be spread out over the remaining months of the financial year.

Or you can pay:

• in 12 monthly instalments
• in two six-month instalments
• in one instalment, paying for the whole year in one go

If you want to choose one of these options you must contact us before 15 April, and we must receive your first payment by the date shown on your bill.

Direct Debit payment dates

You can choose to pay on either the 5th, 10th, 20th or 30th of the month.

Change your bank details

If you already have a direct debit set up and you change your bank details, you’ll need to set up a new direct debit.

You can pay by card online or over the phone. You must be using a secure, up-to-date web browser to pay online.

To pay by phone, the minimum payment is £2 and make sure you have your council tax account number.

• Automated phone line: 0300 456 0530 – this is open 24/7 and calls are charged at your normal rate

Standing order

To pay by standing order you need to complete a form at your bank or building society, or use online banking to set up regular payments. 

Our bank account number is 03383385 and our sort code is 01-09-17.

Remember that you will need to:

• quote your council tax account number
• allow extra days for the payment to go through your bank’s clearing system
• change the amount of your standing order if your council tax changes
• amend your standing order after your final payment, and remember to restart it for the next financial year

Bank transfer

Make sure you quote your council tax account number (the first 9 digits).

Our bank account number is 03383385 and our sort code is 01-09-17. If you need it, the IBAN number is GB28 NWBK 0109 1703 3833 85 and the BIC code is NWBK GB 2L.

Cash

You can pay in cash if you take your barcoded bill to the Post Office or PayPoint store.

PayPoint

You can pay at any PayPoint store. You’ll need to take your council tax bill with you so the barcode can be scanned.

Allpay

Allpay is a swipe card which lets you make payments at PayPoint stores and Post Offices. Please contact us and we can arrange for a card to be sent to you.

Payzone

You can pay wherever you see the PayZone Logo - find your nearest PayZone store

Make your cheque payable to 'Warrington Borough Council' and cross A/C payee. 

Write your council tax account number on the back. We can't accept post-dated cheques.

You can:

• post it to: Benefits and Exchequer Service, East Annexe, Town Hall, Sankey Street, Warrington, WA1 1UH
• take it to your bank and ask for it to be credited to 01-09-17 03383385
• You can also pay by cheque at a Post Office, but make your cheque payable to "Post Office Ltd" and cross "A/C Payee". Please take your barcoded bill with you.

Q: How do I order an Allpay Card so I can pay my Council Tax by cash at my local store?

A: Email [email protected] to arrange to have one posted to you, or call into our offices at 1 Times Square and one of our reception team can arrange for one to be posted to you within 10 days

Q: Can I still use the Allpay Card that I had last year to pay this year’s bill?

A: Yes, as long as the account number on your card is still the same as the one on your bill. For Council Tax it begins 70 and for Business Rates it starts 10. If your account number has changed then please email [email protected] and we can arrange a new card to be issued to you

Q: Can I have an explanation of what my Council Tax is spent on?

A: For a full explanation of your bill visit Your Bill Explained. Your bill will also show a breakdown of charges for Parish Precepts, Police Authority, Fire Authority & Council services

Q: How do I dispute the banding of my property?

A: Contact the Valuation Office Agency on 03000 501 501 or via their website Valuation Office Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Please be aware that when you challenge your banding there is always a risk that it can increase a band as well as decrease

Q: Will my Direct Debit from last year be carried over for this year’s payment?

A: Yes, if your new bill states that your method of payment is "Direct Debit" then we will amend your payment amounts accordingly and continue to take payments on the dates stated.

If you pay by Standing Order, you will need to amend the amounts to be paid yourself at your bank

Q: Can you advise me on the various ways to pay?

A: On the reverse of your new bill you will find details of how to pay, or you can read them at Ways to pay your Council Tax | warrington.gov.uk.

The best and easiest way to pay is by direct debit, which you can set up by clicking the link above and choosing ‘Set up a direct debit’.

Please note - You can pay by cash at a Post Office but there may be a charge if you don’t have an Allpay Card. It is also not usual practice for us to accept cash at our offices

Q: Have I been granted a Single Person Discount as I am the only person over 18 living in my property?

A: On your bill, around half way down the page, it will state “Less 25% discount as only one adult is resident”, which means you are receiving the reduction.

If you feel you may be eligible for this discount and it hasn’t been applied, apply online at Apply for single person discount | warrington.gov.uk

Q: I have notified you of a change in my circumstances, but it is not showing on my bill?

A: Due to a current backlog of work, we have not actioned all changes before the bills were sent. We will action your changes as soon as we can, and send you an updated bill. If we need further information from you, we will also contact you – you don’t need to call us.