Receiving Reminders

Council Tax payments should reach the Council on the day that the instalment is due at the latest. This is normally the 1st of the month.

If the Council Tax is not collected in time, the Council has difficulty in paying for the services it provides and in paying the Oxfordshire County Council and the Police their share of the Council Tax.

What happens if I don't pay on time?

Reminders are sent to people when their Council Tax instalments are overdue.

If you receive a Reminder, you must bring your account up to date within seven days. If this is not done the whole amount due for the year becomes payable immediately within a further seven days. This means that you have lost the right to pay by instalments and further recovery action will be taken.

If you are late with your instalments more than two times during the year, you may receive a Final Reminder. This confirms that the right to pay by instalments has been lost and that the whole amount is due to be paid immediately.

What if I am having difficulty in paying my Council Tax?

If you have received a Reminder or Final Reminder and are finding it difficult to pay the outstanding instalment(s) within seven days, get in touch. We may be able to spread your payments over a longer period, particularly if you agree to pay by Direct Debit.

Page last reviewed 12 Feb 2008