If you don't pay your Council Tax

Council Tax payments should reach us no later than the date each instalment is due, which is normally the 1st of the month.

Paying on time is important because delays can affect our ability to fund local services and pay Oxfordshire County Council and Thames Valley Police their proportion of Council Tax income.

What happens if you miss a payment?

If you miss a payment, you will receive a reminder notice. You must bring your account up to date within seven days. If you do not, the full Council Tax balance for the year becomes payable immediately.

If you are late paying on two occasions within the same financial year, you will receive a Final Notice following a third missed payment, and the full outstanding balance will become due.

If you are struggling to pay after receiving a reminder or Final Notice, please contact us by email. We may be able to help spread your payments, particularly if you choose to pay by Direct Debit.

Court summons for unpaid Council Tax

If payment is not received following a reminder or Final Notice, we will begin legal action.

You will receive a court summons showing:

• The amount you owe.
• Details of the court hearing.
• Additional summons costs which will be added to your account.

If you cannot pay the balance in full and do not wish to challenge the Liability Order being requested, you can make a payment arrangement online.

For further information, please see Make a Payment Arrangement.

The summons will not be withdrawn; however, you can create your own payment arrangement online. You will need your Council Tax account number and will be required to complete some security checks.

The minimum arrangement normally accepted is:

• £25 per month; and
• Repayment over a maximum of 24 months.

If your proposed arrangement falls outside these parameters, you should still submit an offer. The Revenues Team will review your proposal within 10 working days and may ask for supporting evidence.

Attending court

You may attend court on the date shown on your summons and speak with the Magistrates. Council officers will also be present to discuss your account.

There are limited grounds on which a Liability Order can be refused. You are not required to enter the courtroom unless you wish to do so.

At the hearing, the Council will apply for a Liability Order to recover the debt. This can be granted whether or not you attend and will result in additional costs being added to your account.

What is a Liability Order?

A Liability Order gives the Council legal authority to recover unpaid Council Tax.

This may include:

• Requesting details of your employment and income. It is an offence to fail to provide this information or to provide false information.
• Asking your employer to make deductions from your wages. Employers may deduct an additional £1 administration fee each time a deduction is made.
• Making deductions from benefits including Universal Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, and Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
• Instructing enforcement agents to recover the debt or take control of goods. Additional fees will apply.
• Applying a legal charge against your property.
• In some cases, applying to commit you to prison for non-payment.