Email service disruption
The issues affecting email messages sent to Cumberland Council have now been resolved, and we are receiving emails as normal.
Cumberland Council’s guide to Council Tax 2026 to 2027 - including explanatory notes and financial information - Help us to get it right first time
You must notify us of any changes that may affect your Council Tax liability, for example, people moving in and out, changes to eligibility for reductions, or your ability to pay.
The quickest way to let us know of changes is by using the contact details on your bill or by using the following details:
Assumptions we have made
If your account has an exemption, discount, reduction, or premium awarded, the bill assumes that the circumstances will remain the same for the whole financial year. If the assumptions on the bill are incorrect, you must tell us within 21 days. Please also remember that you must tell the council of all changes of circumstances that occur during the year that affect the amount of discount, exemption, reduction, or premium within 21 days of the change. If you fail to do so, the council can impose a penalty of £70.
How to pay your Council Tax
Your Council Tax bill is normally payable over ten monthly instalments. If you wish to pay over twelve months, contact the Council at least 14 days before your first instalment is due. Details of the monthly instalments for the year are shown on your bill.
Further information regarding how to pay is shown on the reverse of your Council Tax bill:
- Direct Debit - instalments are available on 1st, 8th, 15th or 22nd
- Debit/credit card – see the reverse of your bill for further information
- Bank transfer – using the sort code and account number shown on the reverse of your bill
- Pay Point – using the barcode on your bill at any Pay Point or Post Office
Help and support
If you are having difficulty paying your Council Tax, contact the council to discuss this further on 0300 373 3730.
Further information and support is available, see If we need to collect money owed
Bogus callers
We are aware that members of the public often receive bogus calls from people pretending to be from our Council Tax department. Bogus callers claim you are due a Council Tax refund and usually ask for your bank details or a debit card so the refund can be made.
We do not call Council Taxpayers to inform them of refunds by phone. If you receive such a call, do not provide your details. Contact the council, using the telephone number shown on your bill, to verify the position.
Important information about your Council Tax data
Cumberland Council is under a duty to protect the public funds it administers, and to this end may share your Council Tax data with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds.