Last reviewed: May 2026
Quick answer: Council Tax rules are set by central government and administered by your local billing authority; the framework is the same UK-wide.This article answers a question that comes up repeatedly about UK Council Tax. This guide gives the direct answer, the legal basis and the practical steps - including the bits that catch people out. Council Tax rules are set by central government but administered by your local billing authority, so the framework is the same across England, with minor variations in Scotland and Wales.
If you need the answer for a specific council, the council's own "Council Tax" pages and the back of your bill carry the detailed local rules. The framework rules in this article apply wherever you live in the UK, with country-specific notes for Scotland and Wales where the legal basis differs.
What BRUMACC is: Birmingham's Council Tax payment portal
"BRUMACC" is the Birmingham City Council Account portal: the council's online self-service system that includes Council Tax payment, balance lookup, Direct Debit setup, change of address and the moving in/out forms.
BRUMACC is accessed through birmingham.gov.uk. You register once with your name, address, date of birth and email, then link your Council Tax account using the reference number on the bill. After that the portal shows your bill, payment history and upcoming Direct Debit dates in one place.
BRUMACC also handles other Birmingham services beyond Council Tax (housing benefit, parking permits, school admissions). The same sign-in works across all of them.
How to make a BRUMACC payment
After signing in to BRUMACC, select Council Tax from your dashboard. The portal shows your current balance and a "Pay now" button. Card payment is free (no surcharge under the Payment Services Regulations 2017) and is normally credited to your account within a few working days.
For monthly payments, set up a BRUMACC Direct Debit. Choose the payment date (1st, 15th or last working day) and the number of instalments (10 or 12). The first payment is normally taken on the next chosen date after the bank has set up the mandate.
If BRUMACC is unavailable, you can still pay through the 24-hour automated phone line, PayPoint at a corner shop with the barcode on your bill, or by online card payment without signing in. The numbers and links are on birmingham.gov.uk.
Common BRUMACC issues and how to fix them
Sign-in problems are the most common BRUMACC issue. If you have forgotten your password, use the "forgotten password" link on the sign-in page; a reset link is sent to your registered email. If you have changed email since registering, contact the Council Tax team to update the address.
If BRUMACC shows the wrong balance, check first that the latest payment has had time to clear (allow a few working days). If a discount or exemption seems missing, check the most recent bill for the actual application date. If something still looks wrong, contact the Council Tax team with the BRUMACC screenshot.
BRUMACC sometimes shows pending payments and pending changes (e.g. a Direct Debit mandate not yet confirmed by the bank). These should clear within a few working days. If they have not cleared after a week, contact the Council Tax team.
When to use BRUMACC and when to phone Birmingham
Use BRUMACC for: routine payment, balance lookup, Direct Debit setup, single person discount, moving in or out, name changes, requesting 12 instalments, duplicate bill requests, and Council Tax Support claims. Anything where the form covers the situation.
Use the phone for: arrears arrangements, court summons or liability order queries, complex liability disputes, bereavement, cases that need a person to look at the account history. The phone number is on birmingham.gov.uk and on the back of the bill.
Birmingham has been operating under a financial recovery plan since the 2023 section 114 notice, which has produced longer phone queues than in years before; BRUMACC is the council's preferred channel for anything that can be self-served.
Where to get further help and how to escalate
If the council cannot resolve your Council Tax issue through its own complaints process, you can escalate to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, an independent body that investigates complaints about local councils. The Ombudsman is free to use and does not require legal representation.
For independent debt advice on Council Tax arrears, free help is available from Citizens Advice (national phone line, webchat and in-person service), National Debtline (free phone line and webchat run by the Money Advice Trust) and StepChange (free phone line and online advice). All three can speak to the council on your behalf with your written authority.
For premium-rate phone number complaints, the Phone-paid Services Authority handles regulation of premium rate services in the UK. For Council Tax scams or fraudulent demands, report to Action Fraud, the UK national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime.
If you are facing enforcement and need to pause the collection process to get advice, the Breathing Space (Debt Respite Scheme) provides up to 60 days of legal protection from creditor action while you work with a debt adviser. A separate Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space lasts as long as you are receiving treatment for a mental health crisis, plus 30 days afterwards.
The council must, under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018, make reasonable adjustments for residents with disabilities. Ask for the format that works for you (large print, audio, Braille, BSL interpretation, plain English) if the standard channels are not accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee for paying Council Tax online?
No. The Payment Services Regulations 2017 prevent councils from adding a card surcharge to consumer payments.
How long does an online Council Tax payment take to clear?
A few working days to credit the Council Tax account, although the transaction shows on your bank statement immediately.
Can I cancel a Council Tax Direct Debit?
Yes, at any time through your bank under the Direct Debit Guarantee. Tell the council as well so the account does not generate reminders.
Can I pay Council Tax with a credit card?
Yes. Most councils accept both debit and credit cards online and on the 24-hour automated phone line, with no surcharge.
What if I cannot afford the bill?
Contact the council before missing an instalment. Options include extending to 12 instalments, a payment plan, claiming Council Tax Reduction, or a discretionary reduction for short-term hardship.
How We Verified This
Council Tax framework, instalment rights and enforcement sequence verified against gov.uk Council Tax guidance, the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and the Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992. Payment surcharge rule verified against the Payment Services Regulations 2017.