Pay your Council Tax

Please have your account reference number ready (it’s on your bill).

Direct Debit

• Payments are made automatically and payment dates will not be missed
• You remain in control and have a money back guarantee
• It saves you time and money – no queues, cheques or stamps

The correct payment will be debited from your chosen bank account on the same date each month which means no more queuing or worrying about forgetting to pay.

• Direct Debit form for Council Tax

There is also a direct debit form on your bill.

Or you can pick up a form from Access Oldham at the Civic Centre.

Or leave a message on the 24 hour form request line 0161 770 3915.

Or set up a Direct Debit by phone: 0161 770 6622 (have your bank details and council tax account reference ready).

Direct Debit dates

You have a choice of four dates when setting up a direct debit agreement, the 1st, 8th, 15th, or 24th of the month.

Online

Your details are transmitted in a secure and confidential way.

Please use your account reference number when paying online (the number is on your bill).

• Click here to pay online

Instalments

Council Tax payments are made in 10 or 12 monthly instalments.

Contact the Council Tax team on 0161 770 6622 (with your reference number to hand – this is on your Council Tax bill or benefits notification) to set up payment by instalments.

Telephone payment

You can pay by debit card or credit card (Visa or MasterCard).

• Phone: 0161 770 6611 - 24 hour payment line

Please have your council tax account details ready.

Post Office

You can make your payment by cash, cheque or debit card at the Post Office.

Please take your council tax bill with you (it has a 24 digit barcode on it).

Cheques to be made payable to Post Office Ltd.

No fee will be charged for using this method.

PayZone outlets

You can pay your bill by cash and in some cases debit card at any of the 130 outlets in Oldham.

Please take your council tax bill with you (it has a 24 digit barcode on it).

No fee will be charged for using this method.

Receipts

When you make a payment at the Post Office and PayZone outlets you will receive a receipt.

If you pay over the phone, you will be given a payment reference number to confirm your payment has gone through.

All Direct Debit, Internet and Telephone Payments will be shown on your bank statement.

Problems opening a bank account

Most banks will provide you with a basic bank account, even if you have encountered problems opening an account in the past.

For more advice:

• Phone the benefits line: 0161 770 6633
• Access Oldham - Pick up a leaflet on basic bank accounts

Data protection

The Authority is under duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may use the information you have provided for Council Tax purposes within this Authority for the prevention and detection of fraud.

The Authority may also share this information with other bodies administering public funds solely for these purposes.