How Do I Find Out My Council Tax Number?

At Towerstone Accountants we provide specialist property accountant services for property owners landlords and individuals dealing with council tax and property related charges across the UK. This article has been written to explain how do i find out my council tax number in clear practical terms so you understand what applies to your situation. Our aim is to help you avoid confusion stay compliant and make informed decisions.

Your council tax number, sometimes called a council tax reference number or account number, is the unique identifier your local council uses to track your council tax account. It is essential for making payments, setting up or amending a direct debit, applying for discounts or reductions, querying a bill, or proving liability for a property.

Many people only realise they need their council tax number when something goes wrong, such as a missed payment, a move home, or an application for council tax reduction. If you cannot find it, do not worry. There are several straightforward ways to locate it, and in most cases you can do so quickly without stress.

This guide explains exactly what your council tax number is, where to find it, and what to do if you cannot locate it at all.

What is a council tax number?

A council tax number is a reference number assigned by your local council to your specific council tax account.

It is linked to:

You as the liable person

The property you are responsible for

The billing record held by the council

It is not the same as the council tax band, and it is not a national number. Each council issues its own reference numbers, so the format varies across the UK.

What does a council tax number look like?

Council tax numbers differ by council, but they are usually:

A mix of numbers and sometimes letters

Between 6 and 12 characters long

Shown clearly on council correspondence

Examples might look like:

123456789

CTX-001234

987654/01

The exact format is not important, as long as you provide the full reference as shown.

Why you might need your council tax number

You may be asked for your council tax number when:

Making a payment online or by phone

Setting up or changing a direct debit

Contacting the council about a bill

Applying for Council Tax Reduction

Applying for a single person discount

Moving home or closing an account

Proving address or liability

Having it to hand makes everything quicker.

The easiest places to find your council tax number

In most cases, your council tax number is already in your possession, even if you do not realise it.

Check your council tax bill

The most reliable place to find your council tax number is on your council tax bill.

It is usually shown:

At the top of the bill

Near your name and address

Labelled as “Account number” or “Council tax reference”

If you receive paper bills, check the most recent one. If you receive electronic bills, log into your email or council portal.

Check council tax emails or letters

If you have contacted the council before, your council tax number is often included in:

Payment reminders

Adjustment notices

Discount or exemption letters

Final bills after moving

Search your email inbox for terms like “council tax”, “bill”, or your council’s name.

Check your bank statements

If you pay council tax by direct debit or standing order, your bank statement may include the council tax number as a reference.

Look for:

Council name as the payee

A reference number next to the payment

This does not always show the full number, but it can help the council locate your account.

Check your online council tax account

Many councils now offer online accounts.

If you have registered online, you can usually:

Log in to your council tax portal

View current and past bills

See your council tax number clearly displayed

If you have forgotten your login details, there is usually a password reset option.

What if you have never received a bill?

If you have moved recently or your account is new, you may not have received a bill yet.

In this case:

The council tax number may not have been issued yet

Or the bill may still be processing

You can still contact the council to confirm your account details.

How to find your council tax number if you cannot find any paperwork

If you cannot locate your council tax number anywhere, the council can tell you.

Contact your local council directly

You can contact your local council’s council tax department by:

Phone

Email

Online contact form

Explain that you need your council tax number and cannot find it.

They will usually ask you to confirm some details for security.

Information the council will usually ask for

To locate your account, the council will normally ask for:

Your full name

The address of the property

The date you moved in

Your date of birth

Sometimes previous addresses

This is to ensure they are speaking to the correct person.

Once verified, they can provide your council tax number.

How long does it take to get your number?

In many cases:

Phone enquiries are resolved immediately

Email enquiries may take a few days

Online forms depend on council response times

If you need the number urgently, calling is usually fastest.

What if you have moved address?

Your council tax number changes when you move, because it is linked to the property and account.

This means:

Your old property had a different council tax number

Your new property has a new one

Make sure you are using the correct number for the correct address.

If you have recently moved, both numbers may exist simultaneously.

Council tax number vs council tax band

These are often confused, but they are completely different.

Council tax band is based on the property value and determines how much tax is charged

Council tax number identifies your account

The band is public information. The number is specific to you and your account.

What if you live in a shared property?

If you live in a shared property:

There is usually one council tax account

One person may be named as the main contact

The council tax number is shared for that property

If you are not the named person, you can still ask the council for the number, but they may require confirmation that you are liable.

What if you are a landlord or managing multiple properties?

Landlords often have multiple council tax accounts.

In this case:

Each property has its own council tax number

Councils often issue separate bills per property

Keeping a simple record of which number relates to which address is strongly recommended.

What if you are a student or exempt?

Even if you are exempt from paying council tax, you may still have a council tax account and number.

For example:

Student households

Properties exempt due to circumstances

The account exists even if the balance is zero.

You may still need the number for correspondence or proof of exemption.

What if you are in arrears or have enforcement action?

If you are dealing with arrears, reminders, or enforcement agents, your council tax number is especially important.

It ensures:

Payments are allocated correctly

Discussions are linked to the right account

Mistakes are avoided

In these situations, councils will usually prioritise helping you identify your number.

Can enforcement agents tell me my council tax number?

In some cases, yes.

If enforcement action is underway, correspondence from enforcement agents usually includes:

The council tax account reference

Or a linked enforcement reference

However, it is always better to confirm directly with the council.

Keeping your council tax number safe

Once you have found your council tax number, it is sensible to keep it somewhere safe.

Good places include:

A secure notes app

A folder with household documents

An email saved for reference

You will likely need it again in the future.

Common mistakes to avoid

Some common issues include:

Using an old council tax number after moving

Confusing the council tax band with the account number

Guessing the number when making payments

Ignoring letters because the number is missing

If in doubt, always check before acting.

What if you cannot contact the council?

If you are struggling to contact the council due to long wait times:

Use online portals where available

Send an email and keep a copy

Use the council’s secure messaging system

Councils are required to provide your account details once identity is confirmed.

A simple way to remember where to find it

A helpful way to think about it is this:

If the council has written to you about council tax, your number is on that letter.

If they have not, they can give it to you once you prove who you are.

Final thoughts

Finding your council tax number is usually straightforward, even if it feels stressful at first. In most cases, it is already on a bill, email, or bank statement. If not, your local council can provide it quickly once you confirm your identity and address.

The key is not to delay. Council tax issues can escalate if left unresolved, but almost all problems are easy to fix once the correct account number is identified.

Keep a copy of your council tax number once you have it, and you will save yourself time and frustration the next time you need to deal with your council.

You may also find our guidance on how to register for council tax and how to cancel council tax helpful when reviewing your council tax position. For a full overview of council tax rules exemptions and reductions you can visit our council tax hub which brings all related guidance together.