City of York Council is adding new ways to let residents know about missed or late Council Tax payments.
From October 2026, residents who are late with their payments may receive additional reminder messages by text (SMS), e-mail or voice message to pay the amount due.
The messages are a secure and efficient way of prompting residents to make an overdue payment there and then.
These reminders allow residents the option of making a payment straight away including via Open Banking. This is a secure system which links bank to bank without the need to input account details.
The messages will detail support available and invite residents to get in touch to discuss the arrears by phone, email, post or in person at West Offices if necessary.
These messages will be sent using the customer’s details - if they have been given to the Council to hold. They are an additional prompt and do not replace any formal reminders which will still be mailed if payment is not received.
The SMS messages will ask for a customer’s post code, to confirm they are the intended recipient and to keep information secure.
A number of national organisations and neighbouring local authorities already use this system to contact customers, if they hold their mobile numbers and e-mail address details.
Customers are urged to set up an online account to keep their contact details up to date, manage their Council Tax payments online, and set up a Direct Debit payment to avoid any form of payment reminder being sent.
Cllr Katie Lomas, Executive Member for Finance at City of York Council, said:
Managing Council Tax payments online and by Direct Debit are the best ways of keeping up to date but we know that sometimes someone will fall behind with payments.
“Using reminder messages for Council Tax payments helps residents avoid missed deadlines, extra penalty fees, formal recovery action and know where to get help, if you need it. Using this new system lets residents take instant action, making it easier to pay and get early help and support, as well as helping us to reduce postage costs in the long-term.”
Manage your Council Tax account online or pay your Council Tax in a number of ways, including Direct Debit.
Anyone having difficulty paying their Council Tax can get help from local organisations like Citizens Advice in phone or in person, or here.