Council Tax - How to Pay your Council Tax
Methods of payment
Direct Debit
Direct debit is the easiest way to pay your Council Tax. Payment can be made on either the first or fifteenth of the month and the scheme is fully guaranteed.
To set up a Direct Debit you can either:
- complete a Direct Debit Instruction online (see link below)
- download a Direct Debit Instruction Form for you to complete and return to us (see link below)
- set up a Direct Debit by telephone on 020 8547 5007.
Please note, if your Direct Debit is submitted between 1 March and 1 April, it will not be set up in time to collect the 1 April instalment. We will advise you of your revised payment plan in accordance with the Direct Debit guarantee.
Online
Pay your Council Tax online, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by debit or credit card (charges apply to payments made by credit card). The latest technology is used to make your payment fully secure.
Telephone Payments
Payment by debit or credit* card may be made using the Council's Automated Telephone Payment (ATP) facility on 0845 359 1111. Touch-tone telephones keypads are required. This service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.
*Charges apply to payments made by credit card.
Bank Standing Order
You should obtain the necessary forms from your bank, instructing them to pay The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. Use the following bank details:
- National Westminster Bank
- Sort Code 60-60-02
- Account Number 44720939.
Always quote your Council Tax reference number shown on your bill. The completed form should be returned direct to your bank. It is the Council Tax payer's responsibility to ensure that the standing order is paid on time and for the right amount.
By Telephone Banking
If your bank or building society offers telephone banking you can pay your Council Tax over the phone with them. Please use the bank details given above and quote your name and Council Tax account number.
By Post
To pay your Council Tax with a cheque sent in the post - please first contact us to request payment vouchers. Cheques are only accepted with a payment voucher.
Please ensure cheques:
- are made payable to The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
- are crossed A/C payee only
- are sent with a payment voucher.
- are not post dated
- have your name, address and Council Tax account number written on the back of the cheque
Post-dated cheques will not be accepted. No receipt will be issued unless you send the payment voucher with a stamped addressed envelope. Do not send cash by post.
Payments should be sent to:
The Cashiers Office
Finance Directorate
Royal Borough of Kingston
Guildhall 2
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 1EU.
At any Bank
To pay your Council Tax at a bank - please first contact us to request payment vouchers (see 'Contact us' below).
You can usually pay your Council Tax at any branch of any bank. However, you may be charged a fee for the service (bank fees are payable by the Council Tax payer). If you make your payment at National Westminster Bank there is currently no charge for this service.
At the Post Office
Payment can be made at any Post Office - cash and debit cards are acceptable. Present your payment and the barcode shown on the front of your bill to the counter clerk. You will receive a receipt for the transaction which you should retain for your records. Your barcoded document will be returned to you for use next time. There is no fee charged to you for this transaction. Please allow 4 working days for the Council to receive this payment.
Payzone
Payment can be made at any Payzone bill payment outlet - cash only payments are acceptable.Present your payment and the barcode shown on the front of your bill to the counter clerk. You will receive a receipt for the transaction which you should retain for your records. Your barcoded document will be returned to you for use next time. There is no fee charged to you for this transaction. Please allow 4 working days for the Council to receive this payment.
A list of places with Payzone bill payment outlets can be found through on the Payzone website.
Please note:
If you are paying over the internet or by telephone:
- The Council cannot accept liability for a payment not reaching the intended account due to a customer quoting an incorrect Council Tax account number.
- The Council cannot accept liability if payment is declined or refused when submitted for online authorisation by your debit or credit card supplier.
- If your card supplier declines payment, the Council is under no obligation to bring this fact to the your attention. You should retain any receipts provided and check with your bank or debit/credit card supplier that payment has been deducted from your account.