How to pay your Council Tax

Reduced Services

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

In line with social distancing advice and to protect residents and staff the Council has taken the decision to close the Council offices to the public until further notice.

Whilst the offices are closed to visitors, our operating hours remain unchanged. You are still able to access services and information from the website 24/7 and via email and phone during operating hours.

For information and advice on the Council’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19), changes to Council services, the support that is available to residents and businesses, and to volunteer to help in your community, please see our Coronavirus information page

We ask that all residents #StayHomeSaveLives – see a Message from the Leader of the Council

How to pay your Council Tax bill

How to make your payment.

You can pay in the following ways:

Pay Online

You can make online payments using our secure website:

Advice and Support

Please see the advice and support timetable Advice & Support Timetable[pdf] 311KB showing what is available across the borough for free.

Payment straight into our bank account (Direct Credit)

Please give your bank your Council Tax reference number and the following details of our bank account

Bank: Lloyds Bank, 1 Legg Street, Chelmsford. CM1 1JS
Sort code: 30-91-56
Account number: 00465509

Please see the payment dates in the table below.

By Direct Debit

We now offer a wider variety of direct debit options. We have increased the options to try and provide greater choice and flexibility for residents.

Now on offer are:

12 monthly payments (on the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st, or 28th)
10 monthly payments (Apr to Jan) (on the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st, or 28th)
10 monthly payments (with a payment holiday, see below)
4 weekly payments (every fourth Friday)
Fortnightly payments (every second Friday)
Weekly payments (every Friday)

Complete the quick and simple online direct debit claim form below. Use the controls on the top of the form page for navigation. Once you have submitted the online instruction we will confirm your direct debit plan has been set up. Please have your bank details to hand.

Payment Holiday

If you pay by direct debit over 10 monthly instalments, you may request a payment holiday. You can choose any months for your payment holiday eg August & December (school holidays & Christmas) and your payment holiday can be a maximum of 2 months. This may help to budget for particular months where you may be more financially stretched. Please note that any change in your liability may result in the cancellation of your payment holidays and you may need to contact us to set it up again. For more information call 01268 882200 option 2.

If you are already paying by direct debit and wish to change to the payment holiday option please email counciltax@castlepoint.gov.uk preferably with your payment reference number (the number starts with 41 and will be 10 digits long) or name and address and the two months you wish to have your payment holiday for.

Please see the payment dates in the table below.

By Credit or Debit Card

By ringing 0300 456 0629 to use our automated service which is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Mobile charges may apply. Please remember we do not issue receipts for credit/debit card payments.

Please see the payment dates in the table below.

Payment Dates

The dates available for all payment methods are as follows:

Payment Dates
	12 monthly payments on the 1st of April to the 1st of March	12 monthly payments on 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th April to March	10 monthly payments 1st April to 1st January	10 monthly payments on 1st, 7th,14th, 21st, 28th April to January	2 half yearly payments on 1st May and 1st November	1 payment on 1st May	Weekly payments every Friday only, April - March	4 weekly payments every Friday only, April - March
Direct Debit	Available	Available	Available	Available	Available	Available	Available	Available
By cheque	Available		Available		Available	Available	Available
By Debit Card	Available		Available		Available	Available	Available
By Credit Card	Available		Available		Available	Available	Available
By on-line payment	Available		Available		Available	Available	Available