Paying your Council Tax
You will need to be registered with us first before you can set up payment. If you haven’t done so yet, you can register for Council Tax here.
There are several ways to pay your Council Tax such as setting up a Direct Debit, paying online or by phone. Simply choose the option that is best suited to your circumstances.
Remember: You will need your Council Tax account number to hand for any of these payment methods so we can allocate your payment correctly.
Direct Debit
Setting up a Direct Debit payment is the safest and most convenient way to pay your Council Tax.
All the normal Direct Debit safeguards and guarantees apply when you set up an instruction online and we offer the flexibility of payment dates - 1st, 8th, 15th, or the 23rd of each month.
You can also use this form to update the bank details of an existing Direct Debit.
Set up a Direct Debit
If you are moving within the Southampton (SO14-SO19) area, we can transfer your Direct Debit over to the new property.
You can cancel your Direct Debit at any time by contacting your bank or building society but you will also need to notify us as to why you are cancelling using the relevant online forms or by contacting the Council Tax team directly.
Other ways to pay your Council Tax
A PayPoint card allows you make a payment at any outlet showing a PayPoint logo. PayPoint outlets accept cash and the Post Office® accepts cash, debit card or a cheque made payable to ‘Post office Limited’.
Request a PayPoint card by email: bss.finance@southampton.gov.uk or call 023 8083 2556.
You need to provide: Your title, your name and surname, your full address including postcode, your Council Tax reference number and a contact phone number.
You can make a one-off Debit or credit card payment online via our secure eStore. Your card must be registered for
3D Secure for the payment to be successful.
You don’t need to register to use the eStore but if you do choose to register, your Credit or Debit card details can be saved to make your next payment quicker and easier and you will also be able to view account balances and payment history.
Forgotten to pay?
If you have forgotten to pay and the due date has passed, pay online now using the link above.
You can also pay your Council Tax via standing order, which can be set up by your bank or using online banking.
To ensure that payment is received by the required date you must allow enough time for it to reach us. Typically, it will take at least five working days for the payment to reach your Council Tax account.
You will need the council's bank details as follows:
- Bank: Lloyds bank
- Sort code: 30-00-00
- Account number: 00332526
Please quote your Council Tax account number only as your payment reference, do not add any other text in the payment reference field.
For Debit and Credit cards, our 24 hour payment line accepts payments up to the value of £2000 per transaction. You will need your Council Tax account number to hand.
Telephone: 023 8083 3001
The payment will normally appear on your Council Tax account within two working days.
Forgotten to pay?
If you have forgotten to pay and the due date has passed, pay now over the phone by debit card on the above payment line.
What if I can’t or don’t pay?
If you don’t pay your Council Tax by the dates shown on your bill you will receive a reminder and if you still do not pay you risk having a court summons and additional charges being added on top of the outstanding amount.
If you begin to struggle with the payments, please contact us immediately. We can offer options that could help your circumstances, such as:
Remember: If you apply for a discount after receiving a bill, you will still have to pay the full amount until we make a decision. If a discount is awarded, you will receive an amended bill within 15 working days after applying.
