Your council tax bill

The amount of council tax we charge has increased by 4.99% in 2025/26, which includes a charge of 2% to fund adult social care. This remains one of the lowest council taxes of all metropolitan authorities.

Your bill also includes charges set by the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Authority and the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner.

The overall council tax increase is 5.22% excluding any parish/town council charges.

If you live in an area with a parish/town council, it may have changed the amount its residents have to pay. For queries on your parish/town precept charge you need to contact your parish/town council.

How can I find out what the Council is spending its money on?

Information on Solihull Council’s budget and council tax requirement can be found on our financial documents page.

When to pay

Your instalments and their due dates are shown on the front of your bill.

You can also view your bill by signing up for a council tax account. 

Payments must be made on or before these dates to prevent recovery action being taken against you.

If you do not pay your instalments by their due dates and you have not advised us of your situation, a reminder notice will be issued. If you do not pay this as requested the whole year’s balance will become due.

If this is not paid, a summons will be issued and additional costs will be added to your account. The Council will ask the magistrates’ court for a liability order that that provides it with extra powers to collect the outstanding debt, including

  • deductions from earnings
  • deductions from state benefits
  • placing a charging order on your property
  • use of enforcement agents to collect the debt on the Council’s behalf, which can add further costs that could exceed £420.00

If you are having problems paying please view our problems paying page.

The outstanding balance is due immediately and should be paid separately

If you think your bill is wrong, you should contact us straightaway and we will look into the matter for you. If you are not satisfied with our decision you may appeal in writing, telling us why you are appealing.

If you remain dissatisfied with our reply you may make a further appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.

How to pay

Direct Debit is the simplest and safest way to pay. Most people now choose to pay by Direct Debit and are protected by the Direct Debit Guarantee.

Our how to pay page tells you how you can pay your bill.

No, if you paid by Direct Debit previously and you have not cancelled this with your bank or building society this method of payment will continue and will be shown towards the bottom of your bill.

Ways to reduce your bill

If you are on low income or claim state benefits and have less than £16,000 in savings (savings may be more if you are entitled to the Guaranteed Credit component of Pension Credit) you may be eligible for Council Tax Reduction.

It will be shown on the first page of your bill. It will show as a credit and will have reduced the amount you have to pay.

If you would like to know how your reduction has been calculated, a statement can be requested by emailing systemscontrol@solihull.gov.uk or by telephoning 0121 704 8200.

Depending on your household or property’s circumstances, various discounts, exemptions and reductions are available.  For further details please visit our discounts and exemptions page.

Moving address

If you are moving in, out or within Solihull please complete the appropriate form on our change of address page.

What happens if I have paid too much council tax and my account is in credit?

If your council tax account is in credit, the amount of credit will be shown on your bill. 

If you have moved address within Solihull, we will automatically transfer any overpaid council tax from your previous address to your new address.

Refunds for accounts in credit

We’ll provide a refund if:

  • you are in credit
  • no council tax is due to be paid
  • you pay by direct debit

Applying for a refund

If you have not paid by direct debit you will need to request a refund.

Completing this form does not guarantee that you will receive a refund. We will check your account to see if you are in credit and whether a refund can be issued.

Refunds will only be paid by bank transfer and could take up to 4 weeks to reach your bank account.

We will be unable to provide a refund if you owe:

  • council tax for previous years
  • council tax on another account
  • the Council money for another service

The money will be used to go towards the amount you owe.

Request a refund

Joint accounts

If your account is in credit, and your council tax bill is in more than one name, we will refund you to a joint bank account.

If you do not have a joint bank account you will need to complete our online form with supporting evidence confirming who the payment needs go to and the bank account details (bank sort code, account number and bank account name) to make the refund payment to.