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Council tax payment options

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There are a number of ways you can pay your council tax.

Set up a Direct Debit

Setting up payment by Direct Debit is quick and easy. It allows you to choose which of the four dates you would like to make payment each month - 1st, 8th, 15th and 25th.

Once your Direct Debit is set up, the bank will pay your instalments. You only need to set up the Direct Debit once and it will run every year. You do not need to cancel it.

To set up or amend a Direct Debit, you will need:

  • Your council tax account reference number
  • Your bank details

Set up or amend a Direct Debit for council tax online.

If you don't have a council tax account reference number yet, please visit our moving home page to notify us that you need to pay council tax at your new home.

If you want to change the bank account your council tax is paid from, you will need to set up a new Direct Debit.

Pay online by debit or credit card

You can pay by debit or credit card on the Peterborough City Council website.

Please have your council tax account reference number ready.

Other ways to pay

You can pay by debit or credit card over the phone by calling the following automated payment line.

Freephone 0800 389 1977 (24 hours a day, seven days a week).

Find out how to pay your council tax at any Post Office.

You can pay your Council Tax, free of charge, by taking your bill to one of 50 outlets displaying the Payzone sign in the Peterborough area.

Find your nearest Payzone site.

To make payments by standing order or home banking, please use the details below when requested:

Barclays Bank, Peterborough
Sort Code: 20-67-45
Account number: 10572918
Payment reference: Please quote your council tax account number, found on the front of your bill.

We do not accept bank charges incurred for customers using international bank payments. Any charges directed to the council will be offset against the instalment received.

How often you pay and instalments

Your council tax bill tells you:

  • How much you have to pay for the year
  • How that amount has been worked out
  • The dates you have to pay

The cost is usually split into 10 monthly payments, also known as 'instalments'. The first of these payments is taken in April and the tenth payment in the following January. This means that you don't pay anything in February and March.

We must receive all amounts due on or before the instalment dates shown on your council tax bill. We will take recovery action if we do not receive payments by the due dates, and may withdraw your right to pay by instalments.

If you are struggling to pay council tax

If you are struggling to pay your council tax, please contact us to discuss before your account gets into arrears. This may help prevent additional charges accruing. We may be able to work out a more suitable payment plan for you, such as spreading your instalments over 12 months. Visit our struggling to pay your council tax page for more information.

Last updated: 29 May 2025