Find answers to questions about your new Council Tax bill
I pay by Direct Debit – Do I need to do anything?
No – your Direct Debit details will automatically carry over to your new bill.
We'll collect your new instalments on the date shown at the bottom of your bill.
You can view and manage your Direct Debit online by registering for a MyRevenues account. This service allows you to view personalised information on your Council Tax account and/or benefit claim. You can find out more on our manage your revenues account online page.
How do I set up a Direct Debit?
Setting up a Direct Debit is quick and easy and can now be done online. To find out more, please visit our Direct Debit page.
How can I pay?
To view ways to pay, please visit our how to pay your Council Tax page.
I'm worried about paying my Council Tax
If you're worried about paying your Council Tax, we may be able to help. Your bill will usually be spread over 10 months within the financial year. We may be able to stretch the bill over the full 12 months on request, reducing your monthly instalments.
If you want us to check your bill, you can contact us through 'Live Chat' with your Council Tax account number instead of calling: https://www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/contact.
If you're on a low income, you may also be able to apply for Council Tax Support. For more information, please see our Council Tax Support pages.
Why has my Council Tax Support changed?
Council members agreed to change our Local Council Tax Support scheme to one mirroring the national scheme. The changes will come into effect for working age people only, as the scheme for pensioners is already inline with the national scheme. For more information, please see our Benefit FAQ’s page.
I need help with my bills
If you're struggling with your bills and have money worries, there is information on our website about how the council and other organisations can help. To find our more, please visit our Cost of Living pages.
I’ve sent a cheque but not had a receipt
We no longer send receipts if you pay by cheque. If you send your bill, we're unable to send this back.
Please don't send us your bill. Instead, clearly write your account number on the back of any cheques you send.
You can send your cheques to:
Finance Services, Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk, PO Box 26, Kings Court, Chapel Street, Kings Lynn, PE30 1PX.
Have you considered paying by Direct Debit instead? It's quick and easy. Find out more on our Direct Debit page.
How can I view my Council Tax account online?
You can register for a MyRevenues account where you'll be able to:
- view your balance and payment information
- check when your next payment is due
- view latest bills
- set up a Direct Debit or make other changes to your method of payment
- report a change to us online, and track the progress of your request
If you claim Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Support you can use MyRevenues to:
- check how much benefit you're entitled to
- check when your next payment is due
- view notification letters
- report a change to us online, and track the progress of your request
Once you've registered for an account, it's important you log in as soon as you receive the link and password to activate your account.
I’m having trouble creating a MyRevenues account
The data you enter has to match the data we hold for you. Please check carefully that you’ve entered all the correct details. If you still can’t create your account, we’ll be notified automatically and will create the account on your behalf. We’ll then contact you with your details. Please allow up to three working days for us to respond.
Once you’ve registered for an account, it's important you log in as soon as you receive the link and password to activate your account.
I’m having trouble logging in to MyRevenues account
Once you’ve registered for an account, it's important you log in as soon as you receive the link and password to activate your account.
If you can’t remember your username, you will need to click on ‘Forgotten your username’ and follow the instructions to email you the details.
If you’ve changed your email since registering you can update your email address details once logged into your account.
If you're unable to remember your previous email, please contact us.
Your password is only valid for three months, so you may need to click on ‘Forgotten your password’ if you haven’t used your account for a while.
My circumstances have changed and my bill needs updating
If you've had a change please let us know on our tell us about a change page.
If you wish to claim a discount on your Council Tax, you can check if you're eligible and apply on our discount and exemption pages.
All new bills are dated the 6 March 2024, but they are produced on the 22 February 2024. If you told us about a change after the 22 February 2024, we’ll issue you with an updated Council Tax bill around the middle of March onwards.
My new bill shows a ‘balance brought forward’, but I have paid this amount
Your new bill shows your account on 22 February 2024. If you've paid after this date your payment will not show on your new bill. You don’t need to do anything; we'll update your account, and the balance brought forward will not be included in your new instalments.
I don’t agree with my Council Tax band – what can I do?
To find out more about valuation bands please visit our Council Tax banding and appeals page.
If you wish to appeal, you'll need to do so through the Valuation Office. To find out how, please visit the Valuation Office Agency website.
I live alone and want to claim the reduction for a single occupant
If you're the only person over the age of 18 in your home, you'll be entitled to 25% off your bill. We call this reduction a single person discount (SPD).
You can find out more, and apply, on our single person discount page.
Why do I have to pay extra for my empty property?
There is an additional Council Tax charge for properties that remain empty for an extended amount of time, this is known as the levy charge or premium.
From 1 April 2024 the rules for Council Tax empty and unfurnished properties are changing. On 31 January 2024 council members voted to change the levy for empty and unfurnished properties after they have been empty for one year rather than the two years. The levy charge is an extra 100%, meaning these properties will pay double the Council Tax charge.
The Council Tax charge for properties that remain empty for an extended amount of time:
- For properties that remain empty longer than one year, the Council Tax charge will be 200%
- For properties that remain empty longer than five years the Council Tax charge will be 300%
- For properties that remain empty longer than ten years the Council Tax charge will be 400%
There are some circumstances where we may be able to apply a discount or exemption to an empty property. You can find out more on our empty properties page.
Do I now pay extra for my second home?
Council members have voted to charge extra Council Tax for second homes in the borough, but this charge does not come into effect until 1 April 2025. From this date second homes will pay double the Council Tax charge.
How is the Council Tax spent?
We collect Council Tax payments on behalf of four different organisations. More information is available from our where your Council Tax goes page.
What is the charge for the Parish?
Your Parish Council can add a charge to your Council Tax bill to pay for tasks they undertake in your Parish.
This includes maintaining playing fields and open spaces, providing footway lighting and looking after cemeteries and graveyards.
You can find out more on our Town and Parish precept page.
What are Special Expenses?
These are charges made by us where we carry out work on behalf of your Parish Council, that would normally be done by the Parish Council themselves.
This work includes maintaining cemeteries, town halls, playing fields, open space and footway lighting.