Last day to pay rates on time to receive discount

WANT to save at least $30? Be sure to pay your Sunshine Coast Council rates notice before 5pm today.

WANT to save at least $30? Be sure to pay your Sunshine Coast Council rates notice before 5pm today.

History has shown most people leave paying their rates until the last few days before the due date.

Ratepayers who pay on time receive the early bird discount and save 5% on their general rates, up to a maximum of $100 each six months.

A Sunshine Coast Council spokeswoman said in the January 2015 rates run, 131,744 notices were issued.

Of these, 86.5% were paid on time.

"The balance (17,774 or 13.5%) either made an arrangement to pay by instalments or received a reminder letter," she said.

Ratepayers who cannot make payment by the due date can enter into an arrangement to pay the rates by instalments by completing an online application on council's website or phoning council's customer service centre.

Rates can be paid any time of the day through council's website, via BPAY, by phone on 13 18 16, at any Australia Post branch or at council's customer contact centre.

Originally published as Last day to pay rates on time to receive discount