Set up a direct debit for rates, land tax and land rent

The ACT Revenue Office offers direct debit arrangements for taxpayers of rates, land tax and land rent.

You can also set up regular payments through your financial institution (for example, a bank or building society).

To find how much your rates or land tax might be, use our calculator.

Set up a direct debit with the ACT Revenue Office

When you set up a direct debit arrangement with us, payments are automatically deducted from your nominated account held with a financial institution. Regular payments can be set up for the following time periods:

• weekly
• fortnightly
• monthly
• quarterly
• annually (the annual payment is not available for land tax).

Weekly, fortnightly, or monthly payment amounts are automatically re-calculated each year to pay the annual tax charges over an 11‑month period.

If your due date falls on a non-working day or public holiday, a deduction from your nominated account will be processed the following business day.

Terms and conditions

Under these terms and conditions, the ACT Revenue Office will process payments for rates, land tax, and land rent accounts by direct debit from your nominated account held with a financial institution.

If you have more than one type of debt with us (for example, rates, land tax or land rent), you will need separate direct debit arrangements set up for each of these.

All taxpayers will receive either their annual assessment notices for rates or land rent, or quarterly assessment notices for land tax (whichever is applicable). If you choose to have your rates and land rent payments deducted via direct debit on a quarterly basis, you will also receive a quarterly reminder notice.

If you have set up a direct debit, details of any revised payment amount and the date of the first direct debit deduction for each year will be provided with the annual assessment notice. Also, for first quarter assessment notice for land tax, if applicable.

Note: Where a tax liability is not met by the due date, the ACT Revenue Office issues arrears notices and offers time payment arrangements (also known as payment plans) for some tax lines.

Read more information about payment plans on Debt recovery.

Payment amounts

The payment amounts will be automatically re-calculated each year to pay the annual charges over an 11‑month period (based on the nominated payment frequency). No amounts will be deducted in the month that the:

• annual assessment notices for rates or land rent are issued
• first quarter assessment notice for land tax is issued.

Payment frequency

Direct debit arrangements include the following payment frequencies.

*The annual payment is only available for rates and land rent.

The dates in this list are when the ACT Revenue Office sends a direct debit request for processing. The date when your account is debited will depend on the processing of the debit by your financial institution. Therefore, it may occur after the dates on this list.

Non-working days and public holidays

If the due date for a payment falls on a non-working day or a public holiday, the payment will be processed on the next available working day. If you are not sure, contact the ACT Revenue Office to find out more about the date of processing.

Cleared funds

It is your responsibility to make sure there are sufficient cleared funds available in your nominated account by the due date, so your payment can be processed. This is in accordance with the Direct Debit Application Form you have submitted.

Returned or unpaid transactions

If the rates, land tax or land rent debit is returned or dishonoured:

• the ACT Revenue Office will notify you in writing via post if direct debit transaction/s are rejected by your financial institution
• a fee will be applied to your account for each rejected direct debit transaction
• you must arrange for the debit amount and any associated fees to be paid using an alternative method. Alternative payment methods can be found on the back of your assessment notice.

The ACT Revenue Office will cancel your direct debit arrangement automatically if 3 transactions are rejected within a 12-month period for the following payment frequencies:

• weekly
• fortnightly
• monthly
• quarterly.

If an annual transaction is rejected, the direct debit will automatically be cancelled.

The ACT Revenue Office will notify you in writing via post if direct debit arrangements are cancelled.

Variation of direct debit arrangements by the ACT Revenue Office

The ACT Revenue Office will provide you with at least 14 days’ notice of any variation or changes to the direct debit arrangement or amount.

Taxpayer changes to direct debit arrangements

Taxpayers may change the direct debit arrangement by contacting the ACT Revenue Office. For some changes to a direct debit arrangement, you may need to complete a new Direct Debit Application Form.

You must advise the ACT Revenue Office immediately if the account details provided in a direct debit arrangement change. Also, if your nominated account with the financial institution is closed.

For any changes to take effect, you should allow at least 14 days from the date that the ACT Revenue Office is notified. Where a new Direct Debit Application Form is required, from the date the request is received by the ACT Revenue Office. We will confirm in writing via post any changes to the direct debit arrangement.

Cancelling direct debit arrangements

You can cancel your direct debit arrangement with the ACT Revenue Office by contacting us. This must be done no less than 5 working days before the due date of the next scheduled direct debit payment, to avoid further deductions being made.

Disputing a debit item

All enquiries about direct debit transactions should be made to the ACT Revenue Office.

The ACT Revenue Office will investigate all claims and advise you of the result.

If the ACT Revenue Office has incorrectly processed a direct debit transaction from your nominated account, your rates, land tax or land rent account will be adjusted accordingly. Any amounts incorrectly debited will be refunded to back to you.

Accounts for direct debit

Taxpayers should note:

• direct debiting through the Bulk Electronic Clearing System is not available on all accounts
• account details should be checked against a recent statement from your financial institution.

If you are still unsure, you should check with your financial institution before completing the Direct Debit Application Form.

Privacy

Our privacy policy sets out how personal information is collected, used, and disclosed by the Commissioner for ACT Revenue and the ACT Revenue Office. It includes how you can access and correct your personal information, and how to complain about breaches of privacy. Read our privacy policy.

Apply for a direct debit

Make sure you have read the terms and conditions before you apply for a direct debit arrangement with us.

Set up your own regular payments

If you would prefer to set up regular payment amounts yourself rather than have a direct debit arrangement with us, you can arrange scheduled payments through your financial institution. Use the EFT payment or BPay details on your assessment notice to set up the payments to us.

It is your responsibility to ensure that all amounts specified in assessment notices are paid by the due date. You will need to make sure that the payment amounts you set up are enough to cover the charges.

Amounts outstanding on the 16th of each month for rates, land tax and land rent will start accruing monthly interest at the applicable rate.

Contact us

If you have further questions, contact the ACT Revenue Office (select the relevant tax line from the dropdown box).