Disruption to council tax bills during 'annual billing'
Throughout March we update our internal systems and send out 12,000 letters per day, so you receive a council tax bill in time for the new financial year, on 1 April. This 'annual billing' period interrupts our usual timescales for issuing council tax bills including new, revised and copy bills, and refunds.
Find out more about:
- revised council tax bills during annual billing
- copy council tax bills during annual billing
- council tax refunds during annual billing
- updates to your council tax account during 'annual billing'
If you have any queries about your council tax bill, make an appointment to talk about your bill in person.
Revised council tax bills during annual billing
Normally we'll send you a new or revised bill within 5 working days of you telling us about changes to liability or circumstances. During annual billing:
- no new or revised bills are printed or posted between late February and mid-March
- any changes are recorded and accounts updated, but confirmation is sent in late March
- you may get an annual bill which doesn't show any changes while you're waiting for a revised bill
Copy council tax bills during annual billing
Normally we'll respond within 5 working days when you request a copy bill. However, if you need a copy bill between February and April (during annual billing):
- we can only send a copy for the current financial year (ending 31 March)
- you can't request a copy bill to cover the new financial year until after 1 April (for example, if you've misplaced the one we sent in early March)
Council tax refunds during annual billing
Between late February and 31 March won't be able to request a refund (for credit caused by overpayments). Any credit on your account will automatically be applied to your council tax bill for the new financial year, leading to reduced monthly instalments.
Updates to your council tax account during 'annual billing'
Due to internal system updates at the end/beginning of the financial year, it's not possible to make updates to your account on 31 March or 1 April for a period of up to 24 hours; we can only provide advice on your council tax at this time. You can update your account online at this time, but those changes may also be subject to a slight delay.
Also see
Council Tax appointments
To get council tax advice in person at West Offices, you need to make an appointment.