“How to Pay by E-check” Video

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

The San Diego County Treasurer-Tax Collector (TTC) developed and implemented a “How to Pay by E-check” video in September 2016 to educate taxpayers about the process for making payments online using electronic checks (e-checks). More than 20 percent of San Diego County property taxes are paid using the TTC online payment system at www.sdtreastax.com. There is no convenience fee charged for e-check payments; therefore, this is a popular method of payment. Many taxpayers make errors while inputting their bank information in the e-check payment system. Consequently, if the account number is entered incorrectly, the bank will return the payment and a Returned Check Fee is charged. When a payment is returned by the bank after the property tax delinquent date, a 10 percent penalty is applied. Furthermore, taxpayers do not realize that their e-check payment is not finalized until it is cleared by the bank. TTC received numerous calls from angry taxpayers regarding returned e-check payments. The video was created to explain where the banking information should be taken from, how to submit the payment and what will happen if the payment is returned by the bank. Taxpayers can avoid paying penalties by properly submitting e-check payments before the delinquent date.