Paying your council tax

Paying by instalments change

From April 1, 2013 you can choose to pay your council tax bill in 12 monthly instalments.

If you currently pay in 10 instalments, you do not have to change to 12 instalments.

How to pay in 12 instalments

Contact us using the council tax enquiry form.

When will the new instalments take effect?

• Contact us by February 22, 2013 and your payments will start on April 1, 2013.
   
• Contact us by March 26, 2013 and the first instalment will be due on April 18, 2013 followed by 11 instalments on the first of each month, starting May 1, 2013.

It is important that you pay your council tax by the instalment date each month. Prompt payment improves cash flow and reduces our need to borrow money. This helps keep council tax down.

Direct Debit

The safest and most convenient way for you to pay is by Direct Debit. You save time as there is no queuing at counters, no cheques to write or posting letters. Payments are paid for you automatically by your bank or building society. You are also guaranteed an immediate refund in the unlikely event of a mistake being made.

Start by filling in a Direct Debit Mandate (pdf, 48 KB) (opens new window).

Online payments

You can make an online payment or manage your accounts online. You will need your debit/credit card details and the first 11 digits of your Council Tax or Business Rates account number.

24 hour payment line: 0870 707 7776

You can pay at any time, day or night. You will need your Council Tax account number and payment card details. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Switch, Delta or Solo payment cards.

Please note that there is a 1.8% charge on all credit card payments.

Mobile phone app

If you have an Apple or Android smartphone you can pay your Council Tax at the touch of a button, using an app from Allpay. You can download the app from the:

• Apple App Store website
• Android Market website

For more information regarding this mobile app go to App FAQ's on the AllPay website.

Online banking

Please quote sort code 57-51-44, Bank A/C no is 00000000. In the reference field, please quote your 11 digit council tax account number which is found on top left of your Council Tax bill.

Customer Service Points

You can pay by cash, cheque or debit/credit card at any of Bristol City Council’s Customer Service Points. Please take your Council Tax bill or payment card with you.

Text messaging payments

You can make a payment from your mobile phone. To register to use this new service you will need your plastic payment card or the 19 digit number printed under the bar code on your bill. You will also need your credit/debit card.

Unfortunately, the system will only recognise your 19 digit payment card/bar code number if you have used it to make a payment at a Post Office, PayPoint or Payzone outlet since 1st November 2006. If you experience any problems registering for this new service, please contact us on 0117 929 2900.

To organise this service, start by registering with the allpayments.net website.

Post Office

To make a payment at the Post Office you will need to give your bar coded bill or payment card and payment to the cashier. There is no charge to pay at post offices. Please make cheques payable to Post Office Ltd.

Payment card

We are no longer issuing new payment cards, they are being replaced by bar coded documents. Payment cards already issued to valid account reference numbers will continue to work.

Payment cards can be used at any post office or any customer service point. You can also use them at any PayPoint or Payzone outlet (pdf, 61 KB) (opens new window). Payzone outlets accept cash or debit cards. PayPoint outlets only accept cash.

Post

Send your cheques to:

Local Taxation Division
P.O. Box 968
Bristol
BS99 1ZG

Make cheques payable to Bristol City Council and cross 'non-negotiable’. Please write your Council Tax account number on the front of the cheque in the top right hand corner. We do not normally issue receipts, so please ask if you would like one.

Salary deductions

If you are an employee of Bristol City Council, your Council Tax can be deducted from your salary. If you would like to pay by this method, please call 0117 922 2900.