What happens if you do not pay your Council Tax?
You must pay your Council Tax by the dates shown on your bill.
You cannot make late or partial payments using Direct Debit.
If you miss a payment, we will begin our recovery process. This may lead to a summons being issued and additional costs being added to your account.
To reduce paper and postage, we may contact you by text message, email or telephone if you fall behind with your Council Tax payments. If you receive a message from Milton Keynes City Council about overdue Council Tax, it is genuine.
Our recovery process
First or second missed or late payment
- We will send you a reminder.
- You should pay the overdue amount immediately or contact us to discuss your options.
- If you do not pay or make a new repayment arrangement, you may receive a court summons. We will apply for a liability order, and additional costs will be added to your debt.
Third late payment
- We will send you a Final Notice.
- You will lose the right to pay by instalments.
- The full remaining balance for the year will become due.
If you do not pay after a Final Notice
If you do not pay the amount due after receiving a Final Notice, we will issue a court summons.
When a summons is issued:
- the full outstanding Council Tax balance becomes due immediately
- court costs will be added to your account
- you will no longer be able to pay by instalments
If the balance remains unpaid, we will ask the magistrates' court to grant a Liability Order.
If you pay the full amount owed, including any court costs, before the court hearing, no further action will be taken.
For more information, see: Court Summons (Council Tax)
How to pay
You should pay your outstanding balance immediately.
You cannot make late or partial payments using Direct Debit.
If you cannot pay in full:
- request a payment plan through MyCouncil Tax Online, or
- contact us