Online Banking Tax Payment Project

About the Program

Category: Information Technology (Best in Category)

Year: 2015

The Office of the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer/Tax Collector is responsible for the collection of secured and unsecured property taxes, and is dedicated to providing services in a cost effective, efficient manner by taking advantage of innovation and new technology. This is achieved by offering taxpayers several easy ways to pay their taxes, including in person, through the mail, over the phone, via the web, and online through their banking institution. The Tax Collector has implemented an Online Banking Tax Payment Project that has increased efficiency and effectiveness in processing online banking payments. Most payments initiated electronically on home banking systems result in a mailed paper check with limited identifying information as to how to apply the payment. Implementation of this project has allowed the Tax Collector to receive and process many payments as ACH transactions, within 48 hours, and has significantly reduced the amount of staff time necessary to research and process these types of payments. As a result of this project, payments are posted more quickly to taxpayer accounts, and there is increased availability of funding in the treasury pool and for apportionment to taxing entities. Property tax payments help fund key public services including education, police and fire protection, social and public health services. Since October 2014, the County has received and processed approximately 4,500 tax payments for $5.4 million through the Online Banking Tax Payment Project.