URBANA, Ohio — 12 February 2009 — The Champaign County Treasurer, Kermit Russell, has announced that residents can now make tax payments online, over the phone, or at the agency office. For added convenience, taxpayers may use an American Express®, Discover®, MasterCard® or VISA® credit card, debit card or electronic check to make a payment. The County has contracted with Point & Pay, a third party vendor, to operate as an extension of their customer support and payment processing services.
Treasurer Russell said, “Our goal is to provide our taxpayers the best level of service. We are excited to accommodate our customers with easier payment solutions.”
The new service gives residents a flexible, secure method of making payments conveniently and on time. Depending upon individual card benefits, cardholders can even earn rewards such as airline miles or other bonuses when paying their taxes with their credit card. First-half 2008 Real Estate taxes are due February 24, 2009, and first half 2009 Manufactured Home Taxes are due March 3, 2009.
Residents can make an online payment by going to the county’s website at www.co.champaign.oh.us/treasurer on the Online Tax Payments link. Then click on the appropriate link for the tax you wish to pay.
Taxpayers can also pay by phone by dialing toll-free (866) 518-5304 and using the interactive voice response system.
Information requested will include a Parcel ID number, credit or debit card, or checking account details, and the amount of the tax that is to be paid. A nominal fee is calculated and charged for this convenient service.
For over eight years, Point & Pay has offered taxpayers the ease of fulfilling payment obligations in real-time, conveniently and securely, at anytime, from anywhere.
“Credit card and debit card payments continue to rise in popularity, reflecting the trend of using electronic payment methods instead of traditional, paper-based options,” said Joshua Rush, Director of Marketing for Point & Pay. “We are excited to bring this convenient, new payment option to the citizens of Champaign County.
Point & Pay enables government agencies and utilities to accept electronic payments from consumers and businesses for taxes, registrations, licenses, utility bills, and other services and fees using credit and debit cards or electronic checks — anytime, anywhere. Point & Pay is a subsidiary of Vesta Corporation, an innovator and worldwide leader in electronic commerce. With operations in the US, Europe and China, Vesta provides new and innovative solutions for electronic payments for leading international companies, including AT&T, China Mobile, China Unicom, Ericsson, Meteor Mobile Communications, O2, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
Kermit Russell
Treasurer
treasurer@co.champaign.oh.us
(937) 484-1640
Scott Boucher
Manager, Corporate Communications
info@trustvesta.com
(503) 790-2500