Council tax payments

How can I set up or close a council tax account?

If you already live within the East Riding and have a council tax account, this one must be closed and a new one will be opened for you. Council tax accounts are not carried over from your old property to your new property.

You need to do this on our new secure online council tax service, the Citizen Access Revenues website.

If you are using this new service for the first time you will need at least two of the following to register:

• current postcode
  
• your 10-character 'online reference' from the back, top-right of your council tax bill (only if you're a current East Riding resident)
• last three digits of a telephone number you have registered with us
  
• last three digits of your bank account number (if you currently pay by Direct Debit)

and

• your council tax account reference (top right corner of your council tax bill)
  
• your full name

Set up or close a council tax account on the Citizen Access Revenues website 

How can I set up a Direct Debit to pay my council tax?

Choose to pay on the 5th, 15th or 25th of the month in either: 

• 10 monthly instalments (April to January)  
  
• 12 monthly instalments (April to March).

If your bill is issued after April, the number of instalments you receive will reduce each month.

Not all bank and building society accounts can be used for Direct Debits. Check with your bank or building society if you are not sure. 

How to do it 

To set up or amend a Direct Debit for your existing council tax account you need the following:

• bank account number  
  
• sort code  
  
• name of the bank account. 

You need to do this on our new secure online council tax service, the Citizen Access Revenues website.

If you are using this new service for the first time you will need at least two of the following to register:

• your current postcode  
  
• your 10-character 'online reference' from the back, top-right of your council tax bill (if you have one)
• the last three digits of a telephone number you have  registered with us
  
• the last three digits of your bank account (if you currently pay by Direct Debit)

Set up or amend a Direct Debit on the Citizens Access Revenues website

What other ways are available to pay my council tax bill?

We offer a variety of payment methods and dates to make paying your council tax bill easier: 

Direct Debit

This is the easiest way to pay as the payment comes from your bank automatically. Read more about how to set up a Direct Debit above.

Online

Make a secure payment online at any time:

Pay your council tax bill online   

Alternative ways of paying:

Where can I find my council tax account reference number?

Your account reference number is on the top right corner of your council tax bill.

I've overpaid my council tax, can I have a refund?

If you have received a council tax bill showing that you have paid more council tax than you should have, we will automatically refund you as long as you don't owe us money for any other council debt, or have an ongoing liability for council tax. 

If you pay by direct debit, we would send the credit back to the bank or building society account we have on record for you. If you have changed your bank or building society, please update your Direct Debit details.

If you have any questions regarding your overpaid bill or how you will be refunded, please contact us via email:

Email:  council.tax@eastriding.gov.uk

Can I see my council tax balance online?

Yes. You need to do this on our new secure online council tax service, the Citizen Access Revenues website.

If you are using this new service for the first time you will need at least two of the following to register:

• current postcode
  
• your 10-character 'online reference' from the back, top-right of your council tax bill (only if you're a current East Riding resident)
• last three digits of a telephone number you have registered with us
  
• last three digits of your bank account number (if you currently pay by Direct Debit)

and

• your council tax account reference (top right corner of your council tax bill)
  
• your full name

View your council tax balance on the Citizen Access Revenues website

Can I request a copy of my council tax bill?

We no longer send out duplicate paper copies of bills. To get a duplicate copy, you will need to do this on our new secure online council tax service, the Citizen Access Revenues website.

If you are using this new service for the first time you will need at least two of the following to register:

• current postcode 
  
• your 10-character 'online reference' from the back, top-right of your council tax bill (only if you're a current East Riding resident)
• last three digits of a telephone number you have registered with us
  
• last three digits of your bank account number (if you currently pay by Direct Debit)

and

• your council tax account reference (top right corner of your council tax bill) 
  
• first name and last name as they appear on your council tax bill

View your council tax balance on the Citizen Access Revenues website

I'm having difficulties making payments, who can help me?

Make an appointment to talk to us

If you are struggling with your finances, you can  make an appointment with our welfare visiting team. They will be able to help you create a more suitable payment plan for your council tax.

Check if you can receive a reduction

If you are on a low income you may be able to a  council tax reduction.

Change your payments

If you cannot afford to pay your council tax bill monthly, you could pay weekly, every two weeks or spread your monthly payments over the full year.  Contact us to change your payments.

Citizens Advice Bureau 

You can visit the  Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB) website for money advice.