Paying your Council Tax

If you choose to pay your council tax by direct debit you can pay by 10 or 12 monthly instalments (depending on how many months are left in the financial year).

You can choose to pay on 7th, 15th, 21st or 28th of the month to fit in with the way you organise your finances. If you prefer to pay in two half-yearly amounts or all at once - you can!

If you want to change the way you pay your council tax, you must let us know so that we can update our records.

How you can pay your council tax

Direct Debit

This is the safest way to pay and can help you stay in control of your finances. There's a money-back guarantee from your bank in the unlikely event of an error. We'll  tell you in advance of any changes so that you can alter your direct debit amount and you can cancel your direct debit at any time. You can:

• Set up your Direct Debit online
• Download, print and return your Direct Debit form
• Set up your Direct Debit on the phone - 0161 234 5002

Once your direct debit has been set up, you can change your details at anytime, by:

• Change your Direct Debit details using our online form
• Download, print and return your Direct Debit form(please include your telephone number)
• Change your Direct Debit details on the phone - 0161 234 5002

If you need to contact your own bank about your Council Tax direct debit our account number is 61176698 and our sort code is 08 90 00.

Make a payment online
Use our online payment service to pay Council Tax, you will need to have your debit or credit card and your Council Tax account reference number to hand, you can find the number on your bill.

Telephone
Pay over the phone using your debit or credit card - call 0161 234 5006. Lines are open 24 hours a day - seven days a week. Have your debit or credit card and your Council Tax account reference number to hand.

Payment Card at a Post Office
If you already have a payment card, you can carry on using it to pay by cash or cheque free of charge at most post offices. We are no longer issuing new payment cards. Instead, you can use the payment barcode on the back of your recent bill, reminder or summons from us to pay at a PayPoint or Payzone outlet (see below). You need to use the barcode on the back of the bill, not the one on the front. We are sorry that at present you can only do this at a PayPoint or Payzone outlet, not at the Post Office.

Payment Card or payment barcode at a PayPoint or Payzone outlet
For cash payments only. All you need to do is hand the retailer your payment card and the money, and they will do the rest for you. They will give you a receipt, please keep it in a safe place. We are no longer issuing new payment cards, but if you have one you can carry on using it. Or, you can now pay with the payment barcode on the back of your recent bill, reminder or summons from us. Give the retailer your bill and the money. They need to use the barcode on the back of the bill, not the one on the front. Keep your receipt safe.

You cannot use your Council Tax payment card or payment barcode at a bank or building society.

Post
Make cheques payable to Manchester City Council. Write your name, address and account reference number on the back of your cheque. We do not accept post-dated cheques. We do not send receipts for cheque payments. Send your cheques to:

The Council Tax Service
Revenues and Benefits Unit
PO Box 147
MANCHESTER
M15 5TU

It can take several days to process cheques so allow plenty of time for your payment to be credited to your Council Tax account.

In Person
Come to the the Payments Counter in our Customer Service Centre at Number One, First Street (junction of Whitworth Street West and Albion Street) in the city centre. Opening hours are 8am - 5pm.

Using online banking or BACS
Make your payment to Manchester City Council quoting the following details:
Bank: Co-op Bank, Branch 1, Balloon Street, Manchester M60 4EP
Sort Code: 08 90 00
Account Number: 61176698
Account Name: MCC Receipts Accounts
You must also quote your Council Tax account reference number.

If you want to make payments for more than one council tax account, you could send separate payments for each council tax account reference number. However, if you want to pay to several accounts with one payment, you must send a remittance advice slip with your payment to tell us what the payment is for. Please give each Council Tax account reference number and the amount you are paying to it and email this information to rbcheque@manchester.gov.uk