Most problems can be solved online. It's the quickest and most convenient way to get help.
View the most frequently asked information and the solutions for those below.
Due to essential maintenance Council tax and benefit forms will be unavailable from 09:00 - 16:00 on Sat 20th April. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Tell us you are moving
Let us know straight away when you move home so that you pay the right amount of Council tax.
You can use the form below to tell us if you’re new to Cornwall, if you are paying Council Tax for the first time, if you are moving or if you are leaving home.
Please note if you do not know your reference number you can still inform us of a change of address. Use the link above and choose the 'I am moving into the Cornwall Council area and would like to register for Council Tax at my new address' option.
You could also register for self service to manage your Council tax account online. This would enable you to track your change and view details of your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Tell us about a change of address
Tenant has moved in or out of your property
If you are a landlord or a letting agent and a tenant has moved in or out, or something has changed, please let us know using our landlords and agents form below.
Tell us a tenant has moved in or out of your property
Money off your council tax bill
In some cases you may be entitled to money off your council tax bill, or you may not have to pay council tax at all (called an exemption).
This can include:
- Disability or severe mental disability
- Empty homes
- People that are living with somebody else to receive care and live-in carers
- People that have moved into a care home or hospital
- Single Adults
- Students and Apprentices and trainees
See if you qualify for money off your council tax bill
Council tax banding
You can find out more about Council tax bands by viewing our Council Tax band information pages.
Find out about council tax banding
Support when you're on low income
There are different rules for claiming housing benefit and council tax support.
You may be able to claim one or both.
Council tax support helps people who have no income or a low income to pay their council tax.
We can’t backdate council tax support, so it’s important to apply as soon as possible.
Find out more about claiming council tax support
Housing Benefit is for help with rent payments for those who are:
- not working
- on a low income
- in receipt of other benefits
Since the introduction of Universal Credit not everyone can get Housing Benefit.
Find out more about claiming housing benefit
Set up or amend a direct debit
You can setup a direct debit or amend a current one
Set up or amend a direct debit
Struggling to pay your bill
If you’re struggling to pay your council tax bill, please get in touch to see if we can help you.
or you can contact the Revenues section on 0300 1234 171.
We can help agree a more manageable payment arrangement. Please do this as soon as possible to discuss your personal circumstances, do not wait for a reminder notice or court summons.
We realise that our customers may have difficulty in paying their bills and require support from us or an advice agency. If you are having trouble managing your money or are struggling with debt, you should get help as soon as possible.
What do to if you are unable to pay your council tax bill
You can get free, confidential and impartial advice by visiting Citizens Advice Bureau. They have money advisers who are available to discuss debt issues.
We have a support page with lots of links to places that can offer help.
Helping hand - worried about money
Council tax bill
Our Council Tax Self Service system is a great way to keep on top of your council tax account.
You can use Council Tax Self Service to:
- Set up a Direct Debit or make a payment
- Tell us about a change of address
- Get notifications of new bills by email (e-billing)
- See when your payments are due
- Check your Council Tax account
- See how your charges are worked out
- Check if you can get any money off your bill
If you are already registered you can print off a statement by;
- Login to the dashboard and select “My Services”
- Select Council Tax and then “Show Details”
- Select “Correspondence”
- Use the dropdown menu towards the bottom left hand corner to select “All issued”
- Click view to see the details of each web bill.
You should now be able to see your bill as a PDF document, and be able to print it in the usual way.
Register for an online account
Sign up for text message reminders
Once you’ve signed up we will send you a text message if you miss a Council tax payment reminding you to pay, or to get in touch with us if you are unable to make payment.
To sign up please complete our contact form including your:
- Name
- Address
- Mobile phone number
- Account reference number
Request text message reminders
Ask for a Council Tax refund
If you have overpaid your Council Tax or if your circumstances have changed meaning your council tax account in now in credit, please contact us to request a refund.
Setting up an online account, but don’t have a council tax reference number
You can create an online account before you receive your bill. However, you will need to wait until you have your paper bill before you can link your self service account to your council tax details. This is because you need a council tax reference to view your account details.
You can still report that you’ve moved into the area, make a payment, or apply to pay by direct debit using your online account in the meantime.
Help with registering for a council tax account
Send us additional information or evidence
If you need to provide additional information or evidence about your Council Tax account, please complete the form below.
Help with your online self-service account
Find out how to:
- get started
- make changes to your account
- view your bills online
- what to do if you can't log in
Help with your online council tax account
Still need help?
If your query is still not answered please use the form below.
