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What months don't you pay council tax?

Council tax is usually paid in 10 monthly instalments, so there are two months with nothing to pay: usually February and March in England and Wales, and April and March in Scotland. You can choose 12 smaller payments instead.

Checked against official sources on 27 October 2026. Independent guide; your council decides your bill.

England and Wales

The council tax year runs from 1 April to 31 March. If your bill arrives before the year starts, the council sets 10 monthly instalments in a row. The law doesn't fix which months, but most councils collect from April to January, which leaves February and March free. Your bill shows the exact dates.

You have a legal right to pay in 12 monthly instalments instead. Ask your council in writing (most have an online form). Ask at the start of the year to get 12 payments from April to March; if you ask later, the rest of the year is spread over the months left.

Scotland

Scottish rules set the 10 instalments from May to February, so April and March have no payment. Councils may agree to 12 payments, but there's no legal right to them.

If you move or the bill arrives late

If your bill is issued part-way through the year, for example after you move in, the year's charge is spread over the months that are left, so the payments are bigger. A bill issued between January and March is usually due in one payment.

What's changing in England

  • April 2027: councils must tell people who newly become liable that they can pay over 12 months.
  • April 2028: 12 monthly payments become the default for everyone, with the option to ask for 10.

See what your monthly payment would be over 10 or 12 months with the calculator.

Questions

What months do you not pay council tax?

With the usual 10 monthly payments, there are two months with nothing to pay. In England and Wales that is usually February and March, because most councils start in April. In Scotland the law sets payments from May to February, so April and March are free.

Can I pay council tax over 12 months?

Yes in England and Wales: you have a legal right to ask for 12 monthly payments, which makes each one smaller. In Scotland councils can agree to 12 but don't have to.

Will 12 monthly payments become normal?

In England, from April 2028. From April 2027 councils must tell newly liable households they can ask for 12 payments; from April 2028 12 payments become the default, with the option to ask for 10. Wales and Scotland have not announced the same change.

Do I save money by paying over 10 months?

No. The yearly bill is the same either way; 10 payments are just larger than 12.

Official sources