How to pay your Council Tax

In Oxford the Council Tax is due to be paid by the first day of each month. You can choose how to pay your Council Tax bill from the following methods:

Direct Debit payment

Direct debit is the easiest way to pay. Payments are made automatically by your bank or building society and you're fully protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee.

We can now offer you a choice of dates on which you can pay your Council Tax. If you pay by Direct Debit you can choose your instalment date from the 1st, 5th, 15th or the 25th of the month.

We will always gives at least 14 days notice if your instalment amounts are to change (instalments usually change once a year in April).

Choosing to pay by direct debit means:

• Paying at a time convenient for you;
• Avoiding forgetting to pay on time;
• Saving money on postage and stationery;
• Avoiding travelling costs and queuing.

You can set up your Direct Debit payment by phoning us during office hours on 01865 249811 or completing and returning the form below:

 Council Tax Direct Debit Form (360kB PDF)

Online payment

Before making an online payment make sure you have the following information ready:

• Council Tax Account number (found at the top right of your bill beginning with 6)
• Post code
• Debit or Credit Card details

Pay your Council Tax online

Please note that an administration charge of 1.5% will be applied for payments by credit card.

Payment by telephone

Phone us on 01865 252609 to make a payment by:

• Debit Card
• Credit Card
• Maestro Card

You can make a telephone payment 23 hours a day 7 days a week from 01:00 until midnight.

Before making a telephone payment make sure you know your Council Tax Account number (found at the top right of your bill beginning with 6).

Please note that an administration charge of 1.5% will be applied for payments by credit card.

Payment at the Post Office or Paypoint Outlet

To pay in this manner you need a barcode which is on the top of your Council Tax bill. If you need a bill please contact us on 01865 252870.

We are no longer issuing Payment Cards but if you already have one you can continue to use it. The Payment Card cannot be used to make payments through the bank.

You can make your payment at any Post Office or Paypoint outlet in the UK.

Visit the PayPoint website and use your postcode to search for your nearest PayPoint outlet.

Page last reviewed 11 January 2012