Pay your Council Tax
How would the council prefer you to make payments?
By Direct Debit as it is the simplest and safest way to pay. You stay in control and have a money back guarantee. Remember, Direct Debits are automated, not automatic. So if you have a query, you have time to check anything you don't understand or agree with.
Council Tax bills will have a Direct Debit mandate on the back of the bill.
Alternatively Direct Debit forms can be obtained from Access Oldham at the Civic Centre or by leaving a message on our 24 hour form request line 0161 770 3915 or by calling the Council Tax line on 0161 770 6622. You can also download the Direct Debit form for Council Tax here.
What if I have had problems with opening a Bank Account?
Most banks can now provide you with a basic bank account, which might be available to you even if you have encountered problems opening an account in the past. A leaflet on basic bank accounts is available at the Civic Centre’s Access Oldham or by calling the Benefits line on 0161 770 6633.
How can I pay my Council Tax?
The Cashier’s Service is no longer available. This will mean that you will not be able to make cash and cheque payments in the Council Offices.
There are several alternate ways by which you can make your payment to the Council:
Online Payment:
When using this service that the Council operates in partnership with Capita Business Services, your details are transmitted in a secure and confidential way.
Or use the Santander Billpay website
Direct Debit:
Anyone with a suitable bank account or participating Building Society account can pay by this safe method. You have a choice of four dates when setting up a direct debit agreement, which are 8th, 15th, 24th of the month or 1st of the following month. There is a direct debit form provided on your bill if you wish to take up this option. Alternatively you can now set up a Direct Debit by telephone on 0161 770 6622. Please have your bank details and coucnil tax account reference available.
Telephone Payments:
You can pay by debit card, via the Contact Centre 24 hour payment line on 0161 770 6611. Please have your council tax account details with you when paying by telephone.
Credit Card:
You can pay the bill in full, by Visa or Mastercard, by telephoning 0161 770 6611 Monday to Friday 8.00am to 6.00pm, and Saturday 9.00am to 1.00pm. Please have your council tax account details with you when paying by telephone.
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, which should have 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, which should have a 24 digit barcode on it.
NO FEE will be charged for using this method.
Standing Order:
Anyone with a suitable bank or participating building society account can pay by this method. You have to set up the Standing Order to be deducted from your account 3 days before the payment is due to allow sufficient time for the money to transfer into our account. A Standing Order form can be obtained by calling the payment line on 0161 770 6611.
Can I check my account balance?
Balances are available:
- On our website using the Council Tax balance enquiry page
- On the payments line for Council Tax 0161 770 6611 if you are making a payment, or on the Council Tax enquiry line on 0161 770 6622.
Will I get a receipt?
When you make a payment at the Post Office and PayPoint/PayZone outlets you will receive a receipt. If you pay over the telephone line, you will be given a payment reference number to confirm your payment has gone through. All Direct Debit, Standing Orders, Internet and Telephone Payments will be shown on your bank statement.
Do I need my reference number to make a payment?
Yes, you need to have your bill available in order that the reference number can be taken when making a payment via any of the available methods.
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. It may also share this information with other bodies administering public funds solely for these purposes.