Council Tax Reminder Notices

Annual Council Tax demand notices are issued during March of each year for the forthcoming financial year which runs 1 April to 31 March.

The amount to be paid will be shown in ten instalments and requested to be paid by 6 April to 6 January inclusive (except by direct debit)

Wirral Council requests payments by 6th of each month. This is part of a lawful process of billing, collection and recovery.

The responsibility is placed upon each customer to ensure payment is received by the Council on or before each due date throughout the financial year.

Reminder notices are routinely sent each month in order to ensure maximum collection of Council Tax is achieved and maintained.

This means not only people paying, but also paying by the due date. Legally, reminder notices may be sent out the day after payment is due.

The Audit Commission suggests a period of no more than seven days should elapse before a reminder is sent and this has been reiterated by District Audit reports.

Why have I been sent a reminder?

If a payment is not received by the due date, a reminder notice will be sent. Immediate payment will then be required. If payment is not then received, a final reminder notice will be issued which cancels a person’s right to pay by instalments, and the full year’s balance will then be due in one payment.

If a person pays after an initial reminder notice has been issued and is late paying another instalment in that financial year, a second reminder notice will be sent.

Immediate payment will then be required. If payment is not then received, a final reminder notice will be issued which cancels that person’s right to pay by instalments and the full year’s balance will then be due in one payment.

If a person pays after a second reminder notice has been issued and is late paying another instalment in that financial year, another reminder notice will not be sent.

Instead, a final reminder notice will be issued which cancels that person’s right to pay by instalments and the full year’s balance will then be due in one payment.

If a person does not pay as required following the issue of a final reminder notice, a summons with costs will be sent.

What if I disagree with the amount?

If you think the amount shown on the reminder may be incorrect please contact us immediately.

You must advise us immediately if you move house or if your circumstances change. If you fail to do so you may be held liable for any costs incurred.

I am having difficulty paying. What should I do?

If you cannot pay the full amount you must contact us as soon as possible. The sooner you do so, the more help we can offer. You may qualify for help with your Council Tax, please see the Housing and Council Tax Benefits section. See details of our Fair Debt policy under the 'Difficulties with paying Council Tax' page for more information. We may be able to discuss an arrangement for you to pay over a longer period of time.

If we agree an arrangement, dependent upon the stage of recovery and a default in payment, we may still issue a summons and ask the court to grant a liability order. This is done to protect the Council's interests.

If payment by 6th of each month is not convenient, direct debit is offered as a payment method. Persons that choose to pay this way can have a choice of the payment date being one of 5th, 12th, 20th or 28th of each month.