Advice on keeping Council Tax direct debit

By keeping their direct debit it not only takes the work out of cancelling and setting up a new one, it removes the risk of accidentally missing the first instalment in April

Council tax payers in South Lanarkshire are being reminded that there is no need to cancel their direct debit set up to pay their bill.

Council Tax is collected monthly from April to January, with no payments due in February and March.

Every year South Lanarkshire Council sees some people cancel their direct debits in February – only to set up a new one in March for their April instalment.

However, the council’s finance department insist there is no need to do so. Head of Finance (Transactions) Craig Fergusson said:“Direct debit payments are only requested when they are due and therefore Council Tax payers can leave their direct debits in place for the start of the new tax year in April.

“By keeping their direct debit set up it not only takes the work out of cancelling and setting up a new one, it also removes the risk of accidently missing the first instalment of Council Tax in April and inadvertently falling into arrears.”Each year everyone who chooses to pay their Council Tax by direct debit is automatically entered into an annual draw by South Lanarkshire Council which could see them win a year’s free CouncilTax.

The council website contains further information on setting up a Council Tax direct debit with South Lanarkshire Council, as well as showing other ways to pay and advice on getting support if you have any difficulty making payments.