Important change to your Council Tax bill

From 1st April 2009 payment booklets will no longer be issued. If you normally receive an instalment payment booklet you will receive a bar coded bill instead.

Please note that this change will also affect any new or amended bills issued after 1st December 2008. Payment booklets already issued this year can continue to be used up until 31 March 2009 if there has been no change to circumstances. 

The barcoded bills can be used to pay by cash at any Post Office or PayPoint outlet. Payment at either a Post Office or PayPoint outlet is free and a convenient way to pay your Council Tax. In Wandsworth there are numerous PayPoint outlets that accept cash payments by bar coded bills, and nationally there are 40,000 outlets. These include newsagents, some supermarkets and garages, most of which are open long hours and many seven days a week.

How to make payments under the new system

How can I pay at the post office?
You can pay by cash at any Post Office in the same way as above.  You can find your nearest Post Office by looking at www.postoffice.co.uk

How do I make a payment at Pay Point?
To make payment look for the PayPoint sign. Simply take your bill and cash to your nearest PayPoint outlet. Tell the retailer what you want to pay and how much. Hand your cash and barcoded bill over to the retailer who will process the payment on the PayPoint terminal.  Please keep your PayPoint receipt as proof of payment. 

You can find out more about PayPoint and your nearest PayPoint outlet by looking at www.paypoint.co.uk

How else can I pay my council tax?
You can pay by Direct Debit

You can ring the Direct Debit Hotline on (020) 8871 7799 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday (simply have your council tax number and bank account number and sort code ready) 

Direct debit offers you a wider range of payment dates.  Cash payers have to pay their Council Tax by the 1st day of the month.  If you would like more choice of payment date you can opt to pay by direct debit, we offer payments on the 4th, 11th, 15th, 18th or 25th days of the month.

If you don't have a bank account we can help you open one but why should you open one?
 
Here are some of the benefits to YOU:

• Paying your bills directly from your bank account can actually save you money because some companies do offer a discount if you pay your bill by Direct Debit.
• If you set up a Direct Debit to pay regular bills, then there is little chance of you forgetting to pay your bills on time.
• Paying your bills by Direct Debit means you do not run the risk of carrying a large amount of money to the payment office.
• A bank will also issue you with a Debit Card and this will also help you pay for services and goods over the phone.

For an appointment please contact our Banking Advisor on 020 8871 8762 or email newbankaccounts@wandsworth.gov.uk

Pay by debit or credit card
You can pay online (day or night) using the Council's direct payment system at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/counciltax

You can call our debit & credit card automated payment line on (020) 8871 6426 (day or night) and we can accept your card payment over the phone. If you pay by credit card please note there is a 1.4% additional charge.

Pay by cheque
You can send a cheque clearly stating your name, address and council tax account number on the back to:

The Director of Finance
Wandsworth Council
P.O. Box 18
London SW18 2PB

If you require a receipt clearly state 'receipt required'.

Through Wandsworth's cash office?
Simply take your bill and cash to Wandsworth Town Hall Cashiers.  Tell the cashier what you want to pay and how much.  Hand your cash/cheque and barcoded bill over to the cashier who will process the payment. If you require a receipt please tell the cashier.

How do I pay through the bank?
You can still pay at your own bank or any branch of Barclays bank by using one of their paying in slips.  Make sure you complete the paying in slip carefully and make sure to quote your council tax account number and Wandsworth Council's bank details 20-90-69 40430196 in the correct space provided.  You can pay by cash or cheque through the bank.

Our Council Tax Customer Service Telephone Number:

If you require any further information please telephone the Council Tax Service on (020) 8871 8081