Council Tax FAQs
What happens if I don't pay on time? What happens if I don't pay on time?
||What are my rights?
All taxpayers have the right to pay their Council Tax by monthly instalments. That right may be lost if payments are not made in accordance with the instructions on the bill.
What if I don't pay on time?
If you don't pay your instalments on time we will send you a reminder notice and you will have seven days to bring your payments up to date. If you pay the overdue instalments within seven days you can continue to pay monthly, but if you don't you will lose the right to pay by monthly instalments. The remainder of the year's charge will become due, in full.
What if I pay the overdue instalments but then fall behind again?
The regulations only allow for you to receive two reminder notices in a tax year. If you fall behind for a third time you automatically lose the right to pay monthly.
What happens if I still don't pay?
Reminder notices give you the opportunity to bring your payments up to date and avoid legal recovery action and costs.
Recovery action is part of the council's statutory duty to collect Council Tax. It takes various forms which include direct deductions from pay or benefits.
Is it OK to pay a little late?
Payments are due on or before the date shown on the bill. Late payments are costly for the council since nearly 90% of the average bill is collected on behalf of Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottinghamshire Police Authority. We have to pay those amounts whether or not we've received sufficient Council Tax payments. If we haven't got enough money in, we have to borrow it.
The costs of making sure that we have sufficient funds to pay our way and continue to provide services to the people of Ashfield falls largely on the Council Taxpayer. Prompt payment helps keep down the cost of Council Tax for everyone.
If I get into payment difficulties can I get help?
Yes - we recognise that people have financial problems from time to time. If you contact us we will deal with each case individually and take account of your circumstances. We will also do our best to make sure that you are claiming all of the discounts and benefits that you are entitled to.
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