If you’ve received a reminder or court notice, you can arrange a Special Payment Plan by signing into, or registering for, your online Council Tax account. If you can’t access our online service you can contact us using our contact details below.
Worried about paying your Council Tax?
We understand that times can be tough. If you're struggling to pay your Council Tax, we're here to help.
Ways we can help
If you're on a low income or receiving benefits, you might qualify for a Council Tax Reduction.
Information on the help and support that is available to Milton Keynes residents is available on our cost of living support page.
If you are not already receiving a benefit, the first thing you should do is make a new claim. Use the benefit calculator to work out which benefit you should claim.
You can also use the benefit calculator if you are already receiving a benefit but wish to know if you should claim another benefit, such as Universal Credit.
Details of the discounts and exemptions that are available and how to claim are on our website.
This helps us understand your situation and find the best solution. Fill it out online.
If you are finding it hard to pay your council tax, please contact us as early as possible. We understand that people can struggle with bills, and the sooner you get in touch, the more we may be able to help.
You can call us on
- 01908 253794 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday – 9am to 5pm)
- 01908 254060 (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday – 9am to 5pm)
If you do not pay your Council Tax, or you pay late, we may take action to recover what you owe. You may also lose the option to pay by instalments.
If you are struggling to pay, contact us as soon as possible. Getting help early can stop things from getting worse.
What to do if you receive a reminder notice
We send a reminder notice if you miss a payment.
- Pay the amount shown within 7 days of the notice date.
- After you pay, make sure you pay future instalments on time.
- If you cannot pay, you may be able to agree a new payment plan. Use our online payment arrangement form to make an offer.
If you do not pay within 7 days, or you do not make a repayment offer:
- we may take further action
- we may issue a court summons
You can find more information about what happens when a summons is issued on our website.
If you receive a second reminder notice
If you pay after the first reminder but then miss another instalment:
- we will send you a second reminder notice
- you must pay the amount shown within 7 days of the notice date and keep future payments up to date
If the instalment date does not work for you, you may be able to change it. Use our online payment arrangement form.
If you do not pay and keep future payments up to date, we may take further action.
What to do if you have received a final notice
We send a final notice if you have paid earlier reminders but then miss another payment.
This means:
- you can no longer pay by instalments
- you must pay the full remaining balance for the rest of the tax year
What you need to do
- Pay the amount shown within 7 days of the notice date.
If you do not pay the amount due, a court summons will be issued. You can find more information about what happens when a summons is issued on our website.
If you cannot pay in full
- Use our online payment arrangement form to ask for a payment arrangement.
Remember: Council Tax is a priority debt
Council Tax is a priority debt, so it should be paid before most other debts. If you ignore it, you may face:
- a court summons
- extra charges
- enforcement action
Priority debts take precedence over non-priority debts such as credit card payments, hire purchase agreements, catalogue payments, unsecured bank and payday loans.
Non-priority debts can be put on hold until your priority debt (council tax arrears) is cleared. You can contact your creditors using this non-priority creditor letter template. You'll need to send them a copy of your income and expenditure, as well as your Council Tax bill.
You should also contact us to let us know so we can discuss future Council Tax payments
More information about the recovery of Council Tax is available on our website
You can also speak to independent advisors for free:
- Citizens Advice Milton Keynes: 0808 278 7991
- MK Money Lifeline: 0300 123 5198
- Age UK Milton Keynes: 01908 550700
- National Debtline: 0808 808 4000
- StepChange: 0800 138 1111